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Poetry and the Soul

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Author's Notes: "Poetry and the Soul" is a very special couplet I developed of recent that touches on the inevitable relationship between the "Poetry" and the "Human Soul." What may, at first, appear to be a flippant rhymed-couplet narrative is much more than it appears to be. I would be less than a professional poet, among colleagues, if I did not point out that this couplet should be read more than once to get an in-depth feel for what I'm really talking about. I shall leave it at that, except to say, that the phrase expression "pig's feet" is much more than a mere rhyming particle. A bit of deeper poetic reflection is a good thing. After all, that's what poetry should encourage -- always!! (Gary Bateman - November 25, 2017)

Categories: imagery, imagination, introspection, metaphor, poetry, spiritual, and symbolism.

Poetry and the Soul The soul hungers now for true metaphors replete, With real nuance and never a mention of a “pig’s feet.” Poetry seeketh always that higher human intent, As the soul cries out that it shall never repent! The soul thrives always for a cosmic reflection, Beyond human thoughts by a divine direction. Soulful poetic images seek angelic attention, As man’s problems exceed earthly redemption. Poetry is a medium for true ethereal reflection, That mirrors the mortal coil for divine attention. The past, present, and future sleep deep within the soul, And poetry’s the catalyst to awaken us to our divine role! Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved (November 25, 2017) (Couplet)

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Laura Breidenthal

Date: 12/24/2017 5:01:00 AM

This one flows like water...excellent... :)"Poetry is a medium for true ethereal reflection, That mirrors the mortal coil for divine attention. " I favorite lines! The third couplet is awesome as well. I love the great metaphor - makes the poem alive. Your voice among ages of words stands out as genuine to me. Always, Laura

Liam Mcdaid

Date: 12/11/2017 1:32:00 PM

the auld sows feet smiling really sets the mood in this excellent write gary

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/11/2017 5:41:00 PM

Thanks Liam Mate!! I do think that you and Donna and a couple of others who read and commented on this (to include myself as the author) are probably the only ones who understand my usage of the "pig's feet" metaphor at the end of the first couple. It's always an honor and pleasure to hear from you my very good friend!! I say then, "Pig's Feet" it is!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Winged Warrior

Date: 12/9/2017 11:32:00 PM

Superb write my friend...the soul and it's interpretation of poetic thought...which is governed by divine intervention... we are merely sponges absorbing the infinite...and we poets are ready to explode like volcanoes with lavas of deity... I'll pass on the pig's feet lol...god bless and happy holidays Gary...^WW^

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/10/2017 11:39:00 AM

Thanks WW!! I certainly appreciate your gracious comments and thoughts here. The soul is for sure divinely inspired and always subject to divine intervention. (I really like your reference also to the "lavas of deity.") No pig's feet, eh?? I understand!! LOL!! Best Holiday Wishes, Gary

Akkina Downing

Date: 11/30/2017 6:09:00 PM

Gary your poem Is very inspiring. Absolutely beautiful, and I genuinely appreciate your poems, always touching our hearts. Best to you always my dear friend... hugs and smiles :)

Gary Bateman
Date: 11/30/2017 8:04:00 PM

Hello Dear Kina!! Thanks, as always, for you kind, gracious, and inspiring words. I'm very pleased that you found my couplet here to be of particular interest. My best wishes to you, and keep writing and having fun at it!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Red Fiery

Date: 11/29/2017 6:53:00 AM

Hi Gary, this is a brilliant piece and as always I have admired your poetry! I hope you are doing well ..This one touched my heart! ~Red~

Gary Bateman
Date: 11/29/2017 7:13:00 AM

Hello Dear Red !! I really do appreciate your read and gracious thoughts here. I'm very pleased that you like my latest couplet selection on "Poetry and the Soul." I'm glad my poem managed to touch your heart. And, btw, I'm doing well with life in general, and with the work that's proceeding on my upcoming second book of poetry, which I hope to have released to the public by early 2019. Likewise, I hope you are doing well!! I must get by to check out your poetry!! (It's been a while since we last exchanged notes.) Best Wishes Always, Gary

Donna Loughman

Date: 11/28/2017 8:13:00 PM

I love it! Well done... Unfortunately Pig’s feet is what we get at times, and it takes the divine to awaken us to ethereal reflections:-)

Gary Bateman
Date: 11/29/2017 7:01:00 AM

Hello Donna!! Many Thanks!! You appear to be one of the few people who really comprehends the direction I took with the "pig's feet" image as a comparative off-set from the rest of the selection as it reads. This further drives home a favorite point of mine that all aspiring poets need to take some quality time to read many of great poets and artists (and study their techniques) from centuries past up through the mid-twentieth century or so. This will give new poets a greater understanding of the poetic process, and comparative ideas that they can incorporate into their writes. Great Poetry is always the end goal!! Best Wishes, Gary

Maria Williams

Date: 11/27/2017 2:31:00 AM

Mein Lieber Gary, This is truly a conundrum, a tease and a riddle that needs to be carefully analysed. I will come back to you after my analysis...Back soon ...Maria

Gary Bateman
Date: 11/27/2017 8:24:00 AM

Meine Liebe Maria!! Thanks, as always, for taking the "quality-time" to really read my couplet here. So I don't have to repeat all of the words I mentioned and wrote earlier, I invite you to take a read of my detailed responses to both Silent One's and Freddie's comments. Remember, I alluded to this exception in my Author's Notes, which always acts as a source of reference to all of my poems and as a hidden-key to my thoughts as the poet and author. Read my comments back to Silent One and Freddie, and think again about what I really said. At least I've succeeded in making some great poets (you, SO, and Freddie) think about what I really intended here in my poem. Cheers and Best Always, Gary

Maria Williams
Date: 11/27/2017 2:54:00 AM

Hi Gary, I'm back with my comment. The soul is attracted to refinement and not represented by the ugliness of pig’s feet. The soul or our intrinsic spiritual energy is always untainted, and will return to its maker on its own unspoiled. As such the soul has nothing to repent and Poetry, in the best form seeks the beauty (with the exception of negative poetry which is ugly). The soul or our pure untainted energy is connecting with the universe, otherwise like the charger of an electronic device, when disconnected cause the device (our spirit) to run out of power. I totally agree that inspirational poetry keeps us in sync and is a constant reminder of our true mission and higher intent. Earthly redemption is only temporal and does not encompass the ethereal picture. This is what I think your poem conveys to me – and if I’m wrong it’s still a great message – and still a FAVE for being a inspirational though – It certainly elicits reflection and conversation …My fond regards…Maria

Silent One

Date: 11/26/2017 5:39:00 AM

For me, I would say the mention of pigs feet is ugliness or the none divine... You write that poetry leads to our spiritual awakeneing and your poem is full of inspiration and beautiful lines... no one wants to adopt 'pigs feet' when it comes to writing, we all want beautiful soft feet, that glide like butterflies and roam like stallions... (maybe unicorns). Enjoyed your deep piece of poetry and the notes make one think, rather than just reading and commenting...

Gary Bateman
Date: 11/26/2017 6:08:00 PM

Thanks Silent One, I always enjoy you comments and your viewpoint! One of my points with the "pig's feet" reference actually plays exactly to what you've mentioned. The soul craves, as many of us do too, the things you say about beautiful soft feet, etc. And, I also reject the notion of "pig's feet," for essentially the same reasons. But, its image of ugliness (or something unclean and not divine) is actually roundly rejected by what I say in the first couplet. And, yes, I always try to write most of my poetic selections (with my notes) to make people think. Why Not?? Best Wishes, Gary

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 11/25/2017 11:51:00 PM

Amen to Arthur's comment. Excellent meditations this poem be, Gary! Going into the Deep Thinker X-Files. Lol! I could read this poem a thousand times and I won't get the "pig's feet" reference/inference. For some of us simple souls, some things just have to be plainly spelled out. Very thought provoking poem though. Morning star bright quality poetry. Love and hugs, bruh.

Freddie Robinson Jr.
Date: 11/30/2017 2:50:00 PM

Yep. You got me to think for sure, Gary. Love and smiles always.

Gary Bateman
Date: 11/26/2017 6:47:00 PM

Thanks, Freddie!! I appreciate your read!! And, I'm glad you enjoyed it. And, just so you know, the "Pig's Feet" reference was intentionally put in by me in the first couplet, to illustrate exactly what the Soul is not hungering for as it craves true metaphors with real nuance. (This is a comparative off-set technique designed to make people "Think," and to highlight the real meaning.) Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, John Keats, among others have used this technique in some of their poems to excite the reader's attention. Pound was especially crafty with some of his on-purpose conundrums!! I knew it would draw a response. And, see, I got you to think about, perhaps in relationship to the rest of message of the whole couple!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Arthur Vaso

Date: 11/25/2017 10:51:00 PM

Very deep and well said Gary, enjoyed this!

Gary Bateman
Date: 11/26/2017 6:49:00 PM

Thanks Arthur very much!! I'm very pleased you liked my latest selection here. (I wrote this one to stimulate both thought and conversation!!) Best Always!! Gary

Vijay Pandit

Date: 11/25/2017 9:17:00 PM

Unique theme in this poem..poetry can be a source of comfort.. well said, Gary!

Gary Bateman
Date: 11/26/2017 6:50:00 PM

Hello Vijay, Thanks for your read and comment on my couplet here. Yes, for sure, poetry can definitely be a source of comfort. Best Wishes, Gary

Sunlite Wanter

Date: 11/25/2017 5:57:00 PM

I do appreciate your poetry! It has a depth that calls back and forth. I have a sample of one of your books on my Kindle and am looking forward to downloading it.

Gary Bateman
Date: 11/26/2017 6:55:00 PM

Thanks Sunlite, I wrote this poem intentionally as it appears precisely to get readers to think. (This is why I always have Author's Notes included too.) I hope you enjoy your Kindle download of my first book. I'm hoping to have my next poetry book released to the public by early 2019. (This current poem will be in my next book for sure!!) Best Always, Gary