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A Poet's Duty Is To Be True To One's Self

Who are you to question why I write! My thoughts laid bare in each scribbled line, penned by me through my vision... My sight! There are parts of me you could never define! My opinions are mine, that is my right! Do not scorn me with ideas you push upon me! It is I who will decide to acquiesce or to fight, or, perhaps, to pay homage to a flower or tree. Within this humble self, I am the wright! Like the florist, or the painter I am the creator! My beauty and sorrow I pen, be it dawn or midnight, or share my thoughts on Mrs.Ginsburg--Ruth Bader! I think of the virus and each funeral rite, of Hong Kong and Thailand, and freedom's cost, but within me lingers beauty, and the pain of love's plight! For me, without soul's solace, I fear society is lost! 10/18/2020

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Juliet Ligon

Date: 2/4/2021 7:25:00 PM

Passionate write, sounds personal. We all have the right to freedom of speech and this is a great outlet for it, but not a place where people should be attacking one another for their expressions. This is well written.

James Inman
Date: 2/7/2021 6:38:00 AM

Thank you, Juliet, sorry I missed your comment. I don't seem to be getting the comment emails anymore. I believe that if someone has something to say they have a right to say it. I also have the right to ignore it without being rude.

Laura Breidenthal

Date: 2/1/2021 9:53:00 AM

"There are parts of me you could never define!" Strong and deep line, James. I really appreciate the message of this poem. I understand your pain, your need to express..always, Laura

James Inman
Date: 2/7/2021 6:45:00 AM

Hi Laura, nice to hear from you. Ironically this write was meant to be exactly what the contest was about. Putting your foot down for something you believe in. It is a rant about the possible injustice of the taking away of my freedom to express myself. I wonder if most people who read it see that. ; )

Joanna Daniel

Date: 12/17/2020 10:00:00 PM

Brilliant and unique writing, James, love your strong points here:)

James Inman
Date: 12/18/2020 4:46:00 AM

Jo, nice of you to visit. Thank you for your great comment. We all lean toward certain aspects of poetry and we enjoy various poets for that reason but noone should ever feel they have the right to judge another writer based on their biases.

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 11/27/2020 1:42:00 PM

Well written James, poetry is art of one's heart, evert poet has their own style and technique. No one should judge on what someone writes, what flows from a poets pen is an extension of them... Belle

James Inman
Date: 11/27/2020 6:52:00 PM

Hi Belle, thank you for your lovely comment.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/8/2020 1:20:00 PM

Love your words here. I have been told to quit writing poetry because all I am doing is writing trite sunshine and flowers poetry. It made me angry because the person who said that has very rarely read my poetry. I do dark poetry too and I have written on every topic imaginable. How dare they judge me, you or anybody!!

James Inman
Date: 11/8/2020 4:08:00 PM

Indeed, Andrea! Who ever it was must not have read many of your poems. You know I love your poems, how presumptuous it is for someone to say something like that. If I were to decide to write only two line couplets about butterflies for the rest of my life that's my business and if no one out there likes it, that does not give them the right to belittle my words. THEY ARE MINE!! I think there are numerous poets on this sight who would dispute what this person said. (I'm happy it made you angry and not hurt, you know your worth.) Keep writing Andrea!!!!!!!

Akkina Downing

Date: 11/7/2020 3:41:00 PM

Beautifully said, I must say I enjoyed it very much :)

James Inman
Date: 11/7/2020 5:29:00 PM

Hi Akkina, it is so nice to hear from you. Hope things are better for you now. Thank you for your kind visit.

Michael Tor

Date: 10/25/2020 5:56:00 PM

Hearfelt truth spoken and written in honesty and kindness. James I agree with you 100%. We should and must respect the way others feel, if they are not attacking, or hurting another by their malign intentions. Everyone has a right to expression...

Michael Tor
Date: 10/27/2020 3:27:00 PM

Totally agree my friend...

James Inman
Date: 10/25/2020 6:49:00 PM

Hi Michael, thanks for stopping by. I have every respect for those poets out there who wish to point out injustice and try to change the world for the better (I have even written one or two myself), but I am more of an individualist. I believe we should go where our heart, soul, what ever you wish to call it, leads us whether it is a scathing rebuke of political injustice or a touching sonnet declaring our feelings for someone dear to us. Who can truly say which is more important.

Emilia James

Date: 10/22/2020 1:54:00 PM

Am with you on this James and well said. Agree with and understand all what you said in your first comment. Emilia : )

James Inman
Date: 10/22/2020 4:13:00 PM

Emilia, thank you for your visit and your comment.

Ilene Bauer

Date: 10/21/2020 3:04:00 AM

Well said, James! Congrats on your placement in the contest...

James Inman
Date: 10/21/2020 1:48:00 PM

Thank you Ilene

Silent One

Date: 10/18/2020 11:35:00 AM

That's some raw emotion there my friend...

Silent One
Date: 11/6/2020 2:24:00 PM

I agree James

James Inman
Date: 10/18/2020 4:33:00 PM

Silent One! Hope you're well. Poetry is such an individual thing, I can't see how anyone can press upon another how or what they should write. Someone's brokenhearted sonnet is as valid as a dirge written for a fallen crusader if their feelings are true. As respectful as I am for someone whose emotions lead them to write poems about injustice, I believe that commiserating and possibly helping to heal the pain of an individual is just as important and may actually do more good in the long run. I also hope no one is offended by this. It is not meant as an attack on anyone.