Ars Poetica

Ars Poetica


Poetry should woo you with the subtlety of a snake charmers flute
sway you side to side, captive, held in its sensuous grasp.
The words should lead you blindfolded through a myriad of meaning
allowing you to feel each step, each syllable, each inflection.
Rhymes glide frictionless against the grain of reason’s
attempts to intervene, to interpret a heart.
Every pause a calculated hint of passion’s smoldering depth,
the Yin and Yang of its heartbeat.  Cadence should slow the rapid reader,
invite the trinity – mental, physical, spiritual - to dally in reunion.
The start should lead you forward to quench an insatiable thirst,
fueling the desire for more.  The ending should return you
to the beginning of your love, rekindle the waning flames
of an appetite – semi-sated – yet still hungering.



6/1/2015

Note – It is the nature of the poet to provoke – not to explain.  He may provoke anger, joy, laughter, tears, thoughtful reflection or horrific revulsion.  The poet may never know what will resonate with the reader, what the poem will find in them,
what word or phrase will haunt them, taunt them, console them, entice them to read another poem.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Dom Avatar
June 14, 2015 at 12:20 AM
I like this elucidating write John. Thank you.
Dietrich Avatar
June 9, 2015 at 5:35 PM
JOhn, I am of a sort of different view point than you but I know your thinking is very popular. I just like poetry that is direct and everyone gets the basic meaning fairly easily. Well, I DO love all you are saying about the poetic devices that make writing poetry such a wonderful art form. That is what differentiates it from prose! This is really beautiful. I don't know how you placed but I see it is a winner. Congratulations.
A  Avatar
June 9, 2015 at 12:11 PM
congrats
Lawless Avatar
June 9, 2015 at 3:08 PM
Thanks
Guillermo - Fraser Avatar
June 9, 2015 at 6:02 AM
John, with all animals you chose snake.. I somehow takn a back but while I read more, the swaying moves of the snake goes with how you described poetry so well.. to the reader and to the writer.. With the many forms I tried, I learned those forms that puts limits(syllable) yet squeeze your mind and reason to choose the most appropriate..thirst and hunger is a good way to describe the poet within and beyond . =') Congrats on the win! I agree to your interpretation.. ;)!~ olive eloisa
Lawless Avatar
June 9, 2015 at 3:08 PM
Olive, the snake charmer distracts the snake and the audience into believing he has control over the snake. The poet charms the reader into believing that what they are feeling is a response to the poem not a response to their heart.
A   Avatar
June 8, 2015 at 11:18 PM
John, Congratulations on your wonderful win. Always ~LINDA~
Lawless Avatar
June 9, 2015 at 3:05 PM
Thanks Linda for you continuing support.
La France Avatar
June 4, 2015 at 8:13 AM
John this is amazing and so beautifully penned A 7 and thanks for visiting my poem, June Tapestry and leaving that fun comment
Lawless Avatar
June 9, 2015 at 3:04 PM
Thank you for the high marks "Wings"....(may I call you Wings?) asI find nothing broken in you poetic offerings.
Onclaud Avatar
June 3, 2015 at 11:51 AM
yes, poerty should make one more hungry... incredible work, john.. huggs
Lawless Avatar
June 9, 2015 at 3:03 PM
POETRY.....IT'S WHAT'S FOR DINNER!! Always good to hear from you Nette.
Horne Avatar
June 3, 2015 at 5:09 AM
yes indeed and this piece has done all that and more!
Lawless Avatar
June 9, 2015 at 3:02 PM
Thanks for stopping by to read and comment Jack
Allison Avatar
June 3, 2015 at 2:48 AM
loved the poem and agreeso much with your notes especially about what will resonate with the reader - wise words indeed:-) Hugs Jan xx
Allison Avatar
June 9, 2015 at 3:05 PM
opps wrong word choice there lol:-) hugs Jan xx
Lawless Avatar
June 9, 2015 at 3:02 PM
Thanks Jan, I'm a little slow in my responses. Glad this one "resonated" with you.
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