Cup

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Vernon Witmer.

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.

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

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...

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

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.