I Am

I am no minister -- 
therefore, a self-ordained 
preach

I am no tenured philosopher -- 
therefore, an unlettered teach

Just a poet -- 
good-bad, and the ugly

just a poet -- 
happy-sad, and the lonely

inspirationalintrospectionmusepoetrypoetsfree verse

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Gershon Wolf

June 5, 2025 at 7:32 PM

Love the stark 'plainness' of this deceptively 'simple' write, Joe. Profound penning, Gershon

Joseph P. DiMino

June 7, 2025 at 12:47 AM

Spirit is deceptively simple...how a word is used, is only a fraction of communication...how a word is charged, the feeling behind it, is the greater part of communication. Words must be living. Poetry should be spiritual, alive, Third-rail! -- and that is the difference between writing a poem and being a poet. In my opinion, anyway. How I approach writing. Live wire approach!

Valsa George

June 5, 2025 at 12:03 AM

I feel you are a preacher, teacher and a poet, all rolled into one. We will all be happy, sad and lonely in turn if we are humans. Beautifully articulated, dear Joe

Joseph P. DiMino

June 5, 2025 at 5:35 AM

Takes one to know one:) Thank you, Valsa. Have a great writing day. Blessings!

Ink Empress

June 3, 2025 at 3:25 AM

The last line describes most poets and is a very poignant ending dear joe, your words have that evocative touch that makes the readers soul stir and feel the depth of emotions expressed! A seamless write this is! I absolutely loved reading it! The flow and everything youv delivered here is so moving. Sometimes i find it hard to say i am a poet. Pleasure reading this poem. Sending you light always

Joseph P. DiMino

June 3, 2025 at 6:47 AM

Hi Empress; High on truth, High on daring to seek greater understanding of self and creation in general, relying only on, the often feeble, sword of pen and paper for cleaving clarity out of immeasurable omnipotence. Naked and alone, we approach the throne of pure creation. Our way, the poem.

Anne-Lise Andresen

June 2, 2025 at 4:47 PM

- You are you and you are good enough, Joe :) - hugs

Joseph P. DiMino

June 3, 2025 at 6:25 AM

Hi Anne; I appreciate your kind encouragement. But...good enough has never been good enough for me. Have always wanted more, and gave until I dropped. I don't think that Jesse Owens or Mark Spitz would have been satisfied with Good Enough. I don't believe our first astronauts would have gotten half-way to the moon, stopped and said: OK, we know we can make it all the way, so, now we can turn back halfway there. This is the way a poet approaches poetry. I believe...the transcending difference between writing a poem and being a poet.

Oliver Mckeithan

May 30, 2025 at 6:31 PM

Hello Joe, a pretty good poet I might add. I think you define us all

Joseph P. DiMino

June 1, 2025 at 5:08 AM

Hi Oliver; sounds like you clearly understand my perspective. Not to say that I am right, just my opinion. To write poetry does not necessarily say, that one is a poet. Poetry is a spiritual thing...a search for truth in self and creation in general...it is to seek God. Eventually to realize just how far we have traveled from God -- thus, a longing for reunification ~ a profound loneliness. Isolation. Being a poet, and writing poetry are not necessarily the same thing.

Darlene De Beaulieu

May 30, 2025 at 4:22 PM

Hello Joe dimino, I am a poet to and feel the same way you do. i do cheer up. Enjoy your evening my cfriend. /Darlene/

Darlene De Beaulieu

May 31, 2025 at 8:28 AM

Hello Joe Dimino, Oh , just you and the muse! Oh mystical. Enjoy your day my friend./Darlene/

Joseph P. DiMino

May 30, 2025 at 5:45 PM

Hi Darlene; that moment of creation is a very isolating experience...just you and the muse. It is also mystical. Thank you, my friend.

Andrea Dietrich

May 30, 2025 at 12:31 PM

I really like this one. It says it all

Joseph P. DiMino

May 30, 2025 at 5:47 PM

All about emotions. That's poetry. Thank you, Andrea.

Paula Goldsmith

May 30, 2025 at 11:40 AM

What a creative write you have here. Cheer Up and Have Some Fun. I enjoy reading your writes. Hooray!!! Have a fun day/weekend writing away..........

Joseph P. DiMino

May 30, 2025 at 5:49 PM

Yep. Great fun to write. Our own universe to travel.

Kim Rodrigues

May 30, 2025 at 9:20 AM

oh so sad at the end! I rather enoyed this! I likewise am not a professional though I tackle the bible, philosophy, and just being a poet! I study up! God makes us who we are and he gives us the gifts to live by. Who will be greatest? The humble? The poor? The unseen? not a monk under a rock but one who shines to give their all and we are jealous For them! God bless, dear poet! A fave!

Ink Empress

June 3, 2025 at 3:23 AM

This is such a beautiful and soul warming comment! Love it dear kim

Joe Maverick

June 2, 2025 at 1:08 PM

Well put Kim.'

Joseph P. DiMino

May 30, 2025 at 5:51 PM

Thank you, Kim; so pleased that you could mentally and spiritually relate to this work. Poetry is world of enjoyment I am certain you agree. Blessings.