Gershon Wolf | + Follow Poet |
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Good Question - What Is a Poem, Anyway

So, what is a poem, anyway?
  Should it have a fixed number of lines?
    Should it rhyme all the time?  

Should it be passionately romantic?
...As my lissome Latina lover
   let the wild wind dance
   through her fragrant hair
   igniting my eager lips...

Should it be EdGyyyyyyy    chIC      O-SO  A    T     Garde?
                                                               V  N
                                                                 A  
 
maybethereshouldbenoformofpunctuationofanykindatanytimeperiod  

And what abouty all those new forms? The haiku, the senryu, the question-ku
the Pantoum, the Rondeau, the Cinqku, the Cinquain, the Clerihu, not to mention that old Suessian special, the Horton-Hears-a-Who  

And then there's always the matter of meter ... or is it metre?
Should a poem always have to feel like riding a horse?
   Once upon a midnight dreary 
   While I pondered, weak and weary... 
   I thought that I would never see
   A thing as lovely as a tree...  

Well, my friends, were I an actual poet, I might answer your queries  
But as one who merely dabbles, permit me to leave you with this:
 
   In all poetry there is one common part
   ~ The beating of a very, very human heart

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Michelle Faulkner Date: 8/15/2018 2:50:00 PM I think poetry is a lot like paintings - some people think Dogs Playing Poker is better than the Mona Lisa (I wouldn't necessarily disagree) but it is so subjective, that is the real beauty, there's something for everyone to like! Login to Reply Gershon Wolf Date: 8/15/2018 4:17:00 PM Spot on, Michelle. ... Trying to define it precisely is like the proverbial greased watermelon contest: No one can get a handle on it... :) gw

Richard Lamoureux Date: 8/15/2018 8:28:00 AM I feel your heart beating. An enjoyable Read! Login to Reply Gershon Wolf Date: 8/15/2018 4:16:00 PM Thanks. This is as encouraging a comment that a wannabee poet like me can get. Much appreciated, Richard. Best wishes, gw

John Lawless Date: 8/14/2018 7:27:00 AM A POEM.....is a poem......is a......Well ....you know..... Login to Reply Gershon Wolf Date: 8/14/2018 8:37:00 AM That's precisely what was rattling around in my cerebrum, John, but I just couldn't seem to convert it into words on paper until you did! Oy! I wish I'd had you around when I wrote this, so I could have dug down to the essence of the matter and made it the centerpiece of the poem...Thank you so much for checking this one out and for your keen insight! Best wishes, Gershon