Short Word
For Kenneth Koch
We met each other in Smyrna
Birthplace of Seferis
Walked all the day together around Ephesus
Admiring the antiquities
And chatting about the troubles of a new era
We came from different worlds
I with a youth full of privations
You with the clamor of Beatnik days
What makes a poet a poet?
You said with your ironic smile
The pain or joy of living?
Now that you are no more
It's boring sometimes
To live after you
Life! That little trick of substance
Curiously expressed with such a short word
In all mankind's languages
2008
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a
Premium Membership.
