Sock Drawer Poets

Sock drawer poets they called us,
All our scribblings secreted away,
Composed then filed unread,
Hidden from the light of day.
And then along came the Tablet
And universal broadband,
Fast Internet coverage spreading
Length and breadth of the land.

Friendships made on common 
Interest sites, ideas exchanged
Unpublished works published
Concepts read and explained. 
Performance Poets appeared
Open Mic nights became the rage
The musician and the poet often
Willingly sharing the same stage.

We performed in bars, pubs clubs
And they called it Spoken Word
And against all the odds 
Sock drawer poetry was heard.
It’s a thriving living culture now
Not quite, they say, high art,
But in its own little way
It’s certainly playing its part.

The poetry of the intellectual, 
Needing a classical education, 
Has now greatly been replaced 
By that accessible to the nation.
No longer is it necessary to have 
A dictionary of quotation to hand
For the reader or the listener 
To appreciate and understand.
 
Let them have Ballet and High Opera,
Their Fine Dining and Modern Art,
All those acquired tastes that help 
Split out society into its various parts.
The culture of the masses has given
The common people greater choice
It’s vital and it’s vibrant and growing
And it’s given the people their voice.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

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Oldham Avatar
February 25, 2023 at 4:17 PM
Well said, Terry. This is new to me, but is accurate. Hey, if good enough for E. Dickinson, then good enough for me. Go!
Ireland Avatar
February 28, 2023 at 12:23 AM
Thanks for that John.. Have just researched Emily - what a fascinating character.
Bauer Avatar
February 22, 2023 at 1:55 PM
i never heard the expression "sock drawer poets," terry, but i think it's great and i love the way you've explained it all. if poetry isn't understandable to all, what difference does it make how finely crafted a poem is?
Ireland Avatar
February 22, 2023 at 11:56 PM
A few years back I went to a Workshop run by 2 local poets and that's where I first heard the name. Apparently that's what a lot of people did, just filed their poetry away. Give me Soupers every time - at least we know what they're talking about. Thanks ilene
Lawless Avatar
February 22, 2023 at 9:56 AM
AMEN!!!
Ireland Avatar
February 22, 2023 at 11:50 PM
Thanks John
Cunningham Avatar
February 22, 2023 at 8:10 AM
It certainly has Terry, love the title Hope you're keeping well. Tom
Ireland Avatar
February 22, 2023 at 11:49 PM
Thanks Tom
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