A Poet Who Has Touched Me

A Poet Who Has Touched Me


Can a poet be known
of poetry alone?

Am I blind to him other
than what is revealed

in a world self-made
of fiction or reality?

This man I know
only through that

which is the poetry of
his soul.

Whether I know him or not,
he has only what God gives him.

Right now God promises him less
and lets my own end be blessedly unknown.

I cannot make sense 
of dying around me

Nor of my own whenever
that should be. 

I know only too well
it will be.

Kathryn McL. Collins

this was written for a poet friend who died not long after the poem was written.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2013



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 2/3/2014 1:30:00 PM
A wonderful tribute . Such friendship illuminates the heart forever,
Login to Reply
Date: 2/2/2014 11:28:00 AM
Do I have any secrets? Only the worm will know. Hardy harr, harr. Love, daver
Login to Reply
Collins Avatar
Kathryn Collins
Date: 2/2/2014 11:33:00 AM
uckies.
Date: 2/1/2014 1:25:00 PM
This sounds familiar. Maybe not, but I have commented that no one truly knows anyone else. There is a secret place in everyone's being. Your fine remembrance brings this out, as well as life's sure end. Love, daver
Login to Reply
Collins Avatar
Kathryn Collins
Date: 2/2/2014 8:58:00 AM
Daver - A secret place we think no one sees until a poem emerges. Yet, some things ever must be quarantined. Got any hot secrets? love again, Kathy
Date: 2/1/2014 10:31:00 AM
What a lovely way to remember someone.....it touches my heart, and is a beauty. :)
Login to Reply
Collins Avatar
Kathryn Collins
Date: 2/1/2014 10:37:00 AM
Thanks Carrie. He is one who I only knew through poetry. I once co-wrote a poem with him. love, Kathy
Date: 1/22/2014 1:20:00 AM
Beautiful dedication Kathryn! And yes, I do think you can know a person through their poetry. Someone used the term 'soul poet' - that person you resonate with and thoroughly understand though you've never met.
Login to Reply
Collins Avatar
Kathryn Collins
Date: 1/23/2014 8:56:00 AM
Thank you Vicky. I love the way expressed the "soul" of my poem. love, fellow soul mate Kathy
Date: 1/14/2014 11:57:00 AM
Kathryn, sorry to hear about this... A moving poem.... xox..Linda
Login to Reply
Collins Avatar
Kathryn Collins
Date: 1/23/2014 8:57:00 AM
Thanks Linda. love, Kathy
Date: 1/13/2014 10:39:00 AM
Great thought food, Kathy. I am determined that everyone has secrets that dare not be revealed, not only because of social reaction, but for one's own good psychologically. Like - Bach's music is marvelous and this is all I really want to know about him. I'm sure Bach had secrets that will never be revealed. Love, Dave
Login to Reply
Collins Avatar
Kathryn Collins
Date: 1/23/2014 9:08:00 AM
Daver All the greats have enormous secrets I'll bet. I wonder how long he kept his before he could no longer hide it. What genius to compose and 'hear." Miraculous. love, Kathy
Date: 1/11/2014 1:40:00 PM
Kathy an extremely heartfelt write, very well written...David
Login to Reply
Collins Avatar
Kathryn Collins
Date: 1/12/2014 8:39:00 AM
Thank you David. I wrote this about a fellow poet a few years back. Never met him in person, but you know how connected we soul mates become. love, Kathy
Date: 12/31/2013 4:07:00 PM
When ever you need a cheer me up you call me we can do that movie! Happy New Year my friend Light & Love
Login to Reply
Collins Avatar
Kathryn Collins
Date: 12/31/2013 5:15:00 PM
Ok Debbie. That will be fun. I hers it's going to snow this weekend. I'm still at the Outer Banks. Sorry I'll have to miss it. Brrrr
Date: 12/29/2013 3:58:00 PM
Sad to hear of his death, but this is a very well done write i think he would like it if he could have read it but in his stance if it is ok i thought it was a nice tribute, in some senes cheri
Login to Reply
Collins Avatar
Kathryn Collins
Date: 12/31/2013 5:17:00 PM
Thanks Cheri for the nice comment
Date: 12/28/2013 5:50:00 PM
Kathy - beautiful verse. Your memories and verse will keep him alive. Tears hit floor as I read this. Bless you and him. ~Kilmer
Login to Reply
Collins Avatar
Kathryn Collins
Date: 12/28/2013 6:44:00 PM
Thank you Kilmer. I think it applies to all the poets I admire, not only those near death. love katerina
Date: 12/28/2013 5:40:00 PM
A beautiful tribute for a poet whose last gift will surely be remembered. "Each man's death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee." -John Donne Your lovely poem has me recall Mr.Donne's words in his famous poem. My sympathy for your loss Kathryn.
Login to Reply
Collins Avatar
Kathryn Collins
Date: 12/28/2013 6:42:00 PM
Thanks Connie. I think you know who it is about. Remember Tom Atterberry? We actually wrote a poem together. Maybe I'll post it here. I love the quote.
Date: 12/27/2013 8:36:00 PM
Nice tribute you paid to your friend, Kathryn
Login to Reply
Collins Avatar
Kathryn Collins
Date: 12/28/2013 6:45:00 PM
Thank you Dr. Ram. Poetry brings us all together.
Date: 12/27/2013 3:59:00 PM
very poignant! the last 6 lines are brilliant...
Login to Reply
Collins Avatar
Kathryn Collins
Date: 12/28/2013 6:47:00 PM
Thanks Ilene. I'm glad you liked those last six lines. Some say Beethoven's last words were "must it be"
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter