John Lawless Poet Elegy

How To Describe a Man

How to describe a man
met only through his words.

I believe he wore the cloth loosely
not allowing it to bind him
nor hide behind it.

His writings carried a passion,
a love of words honed
into a soothing balm
or a barbed rebuke.

He wrote of life
its vicissitudes
(he would have shunned that word)
its simplicity
dipped in its complexity
its beauty
shielded by his love
of its simple truths.

I knew him
only through his words
as they became flesh
etched into the fabric
of poetic memory.

He was a man
that I am glad to have met.
If only through his words.

John G. Lawless
©12/28/2022

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Jim Slaughter December 31, 2022 at 1:57 PM A beautiful tribute, John. And, if this refers to whom I think it does, "he" was, indeed, a man well worth knowing.

Gershon Wolf December 28, 2022 at 3:54 PM Hard to believe he's gone to his final resting place. A shocker, for sure. Thanks for your kind, compassionate elegy, John.

Susan Woodrow December 28, 2022 at 12:15 PM Very well written- esp like the second and last two stanzas :)

Paula Goldsmith December 28, 2022 at 10:28 AM A wonderful yet sad write. Words can mean a lot to many. Have A Merry/Happy/Healthy/Blessed New Year 2023.........

Tom Cunningham December 28, 2022 at 9:46 AM I think we're all better off from meeting him John if only through his words. He made many friends on here and was so supportive of his fellow poets. Tom

Jeff Kyser December 28, 2022 at 7:43 AM Oh, wow. Hearing that, the world seems a bit less bright. A bit of a mentor to me on this site, Milt was. And to many others, as I understand it. Thanks for your words - will have to mull my own a bit...

Deb M December 28, 2022 at 6:27 AM Lovely John….very sad….Debx