Poetry Is

LIFE IS POETRY...POETRY IS…

Poetry 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 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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Watt Avatar
March 14, 2020 at 11:01 PM
Sam, a breathtaking write. I thought at first the title was ambitious but you presented the height, depth, and breadth of poetry with your stunning array of illustrations; from scraped knees to circus performers, from sunrise/sunset to "Tracking sticky mud across the new waxed / Marble floor of the soul". An absolute 24K gold ring going in my faves to be taken out again to be enjoyed over and over. Ah, Poetry Is...
Roper Avatar
January 6, 2020 at 7:03 PM
Sam, congratulations on your win in Brian's contest. Hugs Eve
Kauffman Avatar
January 7, 2020 at 2:05 PM
Thank you!
De Beaulieu Avatar
January 6, 2020 at 1:37 PM
Hello Sam Kauffman, so nice to meet you. Yes poetry is life. We have poets and poetess of yesterday and today. Also poets and poetess of the future. Because like you said Poetry is life. have a nice day my friend.
Kauffman Avatar
January 7, 2020 at 2:06 PM
Hi Darlene, Wonderful to meet you too! Happy New Year!
Carber Avatar
January 6, 2020 at 9:28 AM
This is damn good! So good I wish I had written it [my highest--and rarest--praise]. So many original metaphors-- oh, yes, my friend, you are a true poet [only suggestion would be to change 'new' in line 8 to its adverb form,'newly', to keep the flow a bit smoother, as adverbs tend to do.]
Kauffman Avatar
January 7, 2020 at 2:00 PM
Hi L.J., Thank you so much for your message. I am honored and I truly appreciate your feedback - feedback like this always makes for stronger work!
Chiri Avatar
January 6, 2020 at 8:21 AM
Sam congratulations on your top win!;)
Chiri Avatar
January 9, 2020 at 5:13 AM
Thank you Sam! I hope you continue reading and enjoying!;)
Kauffman Avatar
January 7, 2020 at 1:58 PM
Hi Brenda, Thank you so much for your good wishes. It is always wonderful to hear from you. I enjoy reading your pieces.
La France Avatar
January 5, 2020 at 11:27 PM
Sam, beautiful write, poetry is life, the innermost thoughts of a poet, words creating an image, well done _ Constance
Kauffman Avatar
January 5, 2020 at 11:46 PM
Hi Constance, Thank you for your message. Warren's quote has inspired my writing for many years and I was finally able to put into words how life inspires poetry.
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