One Word

One Word…

>>>IS>>>


Poetry…is…
Wears the words of smiles and tears,
And speaks of stumbling through graveyards
And up the aisles to ancient altars;
Falling off of sidewalks and through the cracks of life
Then rising up to stargaze from thin lines;
Tripping over can’t and could have,
Butting heads with treasured idols;
Tracking sticky mud across the new waxed
Marble floor of the soul – 
Scratching graffiti on the walls of the heart
Or gently laying kisses on fresh jagged wounds – 
Carrying baggage filled with
Stones of calendar pages;
Chanting loudly of sunrise and sunset,
Blending crystal snow with newborn leaves;
Escaping clutches of midnight marauders
Embracing the fairness of rose and mauve;
Ignorance ignored screaming,
Scrapping tender knees and elbows on pebbled concrete,
Painting chaos – weaving breaths – unclogging drains –
Knitting together quietness in blooms of Claire de lune.


Poetry…Is…
Wears the words of frowns and grins
And tells of fat ducklings waddling through spring;
Wrapping scars in isolation,
Discarding blindness
In ancient hearts and newborn souls
And all the in between;
Cleaning closets stuffed to overflowing
With emptiness;
Running with ambivalence,
Looking into the eyes of the unresolved,
Fighting wrinkles or teetering on high heels –
Tuxedos rushing by the tattered,
Ragged holding hands with
Fire dancers balancing upon tight ropes –
Drinking fully from a trough
Of clearest spirits, giving up thirst,
Then wrestling with the fevers
Of inspiration through witness eyes,
Shouting across the centuries in baritone and soprano,
Reaching out and gathering in – juggling balls and overflowing plates.
The very marrow and the core,
The words of a poet yesterday – “Pretty, hell, poetry is…life.” Robert Penn Warren – June 1986
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Radhakrishna Avatar
September 6, 2020 at 2:13 AM
Sam congrats on your win with ‘Is‘! The poem that follows is beautiful and should score a win on its own in another contest!! BW Krish
Andresen Avatar
September 6, 2020 at 12:50 AM
* ~ Congratulations ~ *
Kelii Kekaula Avatar
September 6, 2020 at 12:39 AM
'Tis truly an interesting approach, Sam, Congrats and stay well and safe, Aloha! William
Watt Avatar
September 5, 2020 at 8:33 PM
"Knitting together quietness in blooms of Claire de lune." My favorite line all day. Congrats on your win, my stargazing poetic friend!
Allison Avatar
September 5, 2020 at 3:37 PM
love your take on the one word contest, many congrats on your win :-) hugs jan xx
May Avatar
September 5, 2020 at 3:13 PM
Congratulations !! A great word with comments lol
Lamoureux Avatar
September 5, 2020 at 5:55 AM
You created a tapestry for us to enjoy. Well done.
Kauffman Avatar
September 5, 2020 at 9:27 AM
Many thanks Richard! So happy you enjoyed this "tapestry!" It was such fun to weave all the strands together. Blessings my friend!
Dietrich Avatar
September 4, 2020 at 2:32 PM
poetry is LIFE. That is such a good quote you chose at the end. Lots of awesome descriptions and metaphors you offered us in this well crafted poem on the favorite topic for us all... POETRY
Kauffman Avatar
September 5, 2020 at 9:25 AM
Thank you Andrea! That quote has guided my poetry for years. It reminds me of how much I love the creativity of poetry as an art form and to keep it REAL! I always feel encouraged by your words and your writing my friend!
Callus Avatar
September 4, 2020 at 1:55 PM
A metaphorically striking poem, Sam. You sure give life to poetry! Best regards // paul
Kauffman Avatar
September 4, 2020 at 2:22 PM
I am deeply honored by your message, Paul. As I said to Tom, I took a chance with this format. This poem just seemed to write itself. Thank you for your visit. Have a great weekend!
Cunningham Avatar
September 3, 2020 at 8:38 PM
Love how you've done this Sam, a sure winner. Tom
Kauffman Avatar
September 4, 2020 at 2:16 PM
Thank you for your encouragement and gracious words, Tom. I took a chance and added something on to the "one word." Have a great weekend! Over Fork Over!
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