If It Wasn't For Poetry

Poetry has always been with me, I just didn’t know it. I didn’t know verse and lines of rhymes were prayers of my heart And how could a child who needed escape, know such feelings exist All in good fun, with a jingle or two I’d “ditty” my way through a party They’d call upon me to liven the crowd Some humor to “jolly” the room Yet later when loss had its lessons And words were my only true friend I knew then that I was a poet, I knew then how I understand So now, with reflection so certain Without hesitation or pause I say with a fervent conviction If it wasn’t for poetry, I wouldn't be me