Poets Are the Bell Ringers of the Soul

Most poets tell the truth of life Though they may wrap it in beauty. It's their passion, not their purpose; To compose is but their duty. Poets as a rule are high on adventure Like wondering bards or prophets today. Embracing hearts and minds with wisdom Casting through verse their visions at play. Poets have their dreams and their nightmares Of love, life, death, faith, and war. They feel the pain and tragedy of others Even those they've never met before. One merit of a poet's work, Which most people cannot deny, They say more and in fewer words To illuminate you and I. Their poems are used to convey passion By composers of both good and evil mood. Some are hateful others loving Sharing thoughts to be consumed as food. They fan the flames of human compassion With their stories of the failings of man. Professing to follow a higher power As they recruit whomever they can. The wild birds sing and flowers bloom As clouds form figures in the sky. But only poets will write poems That shall last long after they die. God has always had his poets Who he watches with love from space. But Satan has his poets too Who try to lead us from our grace. Poets are the bell ringers of the soul As they depict the past, the present and beyond. They sound their alarm of what lies ahead As the missteps of man live on. By Tom Zart