Barbara Peckham Poet Free verse

Am I Really a Poet

Am I really a poet? I don’t know,
maybe a would-be poet, not quite there yet? 

I keep writing what looks
         like poetry, at least to me.

But then, it’s only my opinion, and what
          makes me an authority one way or the other?

I’m kind of an ordinary person,
wife mother, ex-tv commercial writer, ex-teacher. Not                     particularly known for anything except chocolate lava cake.

Brilliant ideas for poetry come to me when I’m out walking,
          in the grocery store, driving, just sitting in the living room.          
          But then, when I write them down, not so brilliant?       

My poems don’t always like me. They needle me 
	with questions I can’t answer.
           “Why do you describe it that way?
It’s not convoluted enough to make people think!
Why do you think anyone cares about your old apple tree?
          (politics, walk on the beach, regrets, whatever)”

I wrote a poem about my childhood.
             When I finished, I looked at it, and it looked back at    me
             and frowned. It said, “Who gives a hoot?”

I wrote about getting old, how it felt, and 
              that poem just stared at me and asked, “Who cares? Is that really       
	    poetry?”

My poems tell me, “Get real! Write about something important!”
      But I guess I’ll just keep on writing, whatever I write,
              because I really can’t help myself!

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Barbara Peckham March 31, 2023 at 2:17 PM Thanks so much for your kind comments. I have not been writing much lately and am trying to get back into it! You are much too kind.

W J Clarke March 31, 2023 at 12:23 PM Yes! You are a poet. I like the simplicity and honesty of your words. Whatever you express will always appeal or resonate with others. There are many ways of expressing yourself in the use of words. At times the most simplest of words can be the most powerful. Continue on your journey as a poet and enjoy :-)