Vernon Witmer | + Follow Poet |
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Cup

Today, a workshop for the poet.  
Write about a cup.
Standing empty, 
Purpose unfulfilled.
Imagination startled as 
I smash the cup inside my head.
A million shards of broken pottery 
Lying on the floor.
Broken poems and promises 
Lying on the floor.
Shards thrown out of context 
As are we.
Broken souls 
From out a shattered God.
Each shard, a refugee.  
You and me. 
Metaphors attached to all 
The brokenness we own.
Cups of purpose 
Seeking our fulfillment.
Joined to make a whole 
Of all we hold;
Become a cup 
Our truth to then unfold.
What began as empty, filled 
With our life’s portion,
Sharing, sipping, spilling
All along the way.
Losing contents 
We may label dear
Until the final tipping 
Of a cup left upside down.
What words escape our pens 
That are not truth.
Whose content change 
The soul from which we bleed 
Whether subject cup or love, 
Or other siphoned dalliance,
At our finish will complete
A lifetime’s cupping need.

Copyright © Vernon Witmer | Year Posted 2021

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Michael Ellis Date: 4/1/2021 1:35:00 PM Cup as a metaphor is not a new concept but Vernon takes it to a new place. I particularly love the first three lines only to be outdone by the final three lines at the poems end. Poem is beautifully structured and never gets boring. A great offering to poetry.....Michael... Login to Reply Vernon Witmer Date: 4/1/2021 2:12:00 PM I don't even have words, Michael. I am crying now as I read your powerful pieces. Sometimes we all wish we could say the words that others say, as if they come easy, but they are not easy, they are just real. Thank you for seeing me.

Brian Sambourne Date: 4/1/2021 7:05:00 AM A very powerful poem, Vernon. Your expansion of the empty cup, poetry prompter, as a metaphor for life is truly imaginative + expressive. As you state, our lives often do end empty, in "cupping need." Memorable lines. Best wishes, Brian Login to Reply Vernon Witmer Date: 4/1/2021 2:25:00 PM Thank you Brian for your thoughtful comments. In your poem: "In the Distance" your line "...white caps jittery as if moved by wrongs.." was brilliant, so personal and descriptive. I enjoy your writing.