Jim Hirtle Poet Free verse

The Death of a Poet

I read my obituary
Accolades run afoul to lighten the souls of the living
Trite clichés, forgotten kin, melodic tributes
Boring and meaningless

Upon a granite stone etched for an eternity
I was but a ‘A faithful husband,’
‘A good father,’
And ‘Never Forgotten’

They have it all wrong

If they had read my sonnets
Mystical offspring scribbled on napkins
Consuming stale coffee in late night diners lit by neon lights
They would have known

Had they paid heed to my limericks
Nonsensical rhymes of fairytale fantasies
And polka-dotted panties created to amuse only me
They would have known
 
Had they inhaled my free verse
Painstaking hours spent
Creating worlds of exquisite harmony
Carrying the reader on endless voyages
Guided by the inspired lyricist through emerald forests
Royal seas, white-capped mountains
And never-ending dreams
They would have known

Had they met my only mistress
One called Haiku
A quiet damsel
Her beauty lies in brevity and endless seasons
They would have known
More than a husband
More than a father
More than forgotten
I am a poet

I read my obituary
I should have known

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Curtis Johnson June 15, 2021 at 9:50 AM Great job, Jim. I love this. Blessings.

Andreas Akun June 7, 2021 at 9:30 PM Very nice lines of reflection... I should have known that life is much richer with wor(l)d economy called poetry...

Mike Bayles June 7, 2021 at 5:59 PM Very nice. Keep writing, and we'll all keep writing, hoping others notice.

Peter Rees June 7, 2021 at 2:22 PM You’ve foretold my future.. Said with such understanding. We’re on the same track my friend.

Millard Lowe June 7, 2021 at 1:13 PM ONE! my fellow poet, Jim. More the reason for us to continue to pen the birthing creations from our pregnant poetic minds. Poets die; their words live on! Remember, only the worker dies; the work goes on. Thanks for the share. Peace and Love, Millard Lowe (aka, M'Lowe)

William J. Jr. Atfield June 7, 2021 at 10:41 AM Exhalent !!! Captures one's essence, seldom seen of one's life by onlookers or passers by .

Line Gauthier April 30, 2021 at 1:16 PM Bravo, Jim ! Totally delightful. Congrats on your POTD ~

Funom Makama April 27, 2021 at 6:18 PM hahahaha.. So so so cool. And I am not surprised this earned you a POTD.. Your first verse intensified my curiosity, just to see how more faithful you are to your poetry... Hahahaha, the poem flows well, the concept is brilliant. Weldone.

Jennifer Proxenos April 23, 2021 at 11:58 PM Jim Hello, we haven't communicated much maybe not at all but I had to read this because it tickled my fancy - it made my day, sad, but oh so true what you say - first and foremost a poet must loves all his family with his heart soul and poetic mind. But it would be great if it was mentioned what great poetry you wrote also. Congratulations on POTD my friend Hugs and blessings, Jennifer. Jim Hirtle April 24, 2021 at 7:38 AM Thank you Jennifer.

L Milton Hankins April 21, 2021 at 9:17 PM Sorry I am so late sending you my heartiest congratulations on POTD!

Darlene De Beaulieu April 21, 2021 at 10:31 AM Hello Jim Hirtle, When a poet passes i would think that his or hers poems would be famous. Enjoy your day my frend.

Gary Radice April 21, 2021 at 5:37 AM I really enjoyed this Jim. Great poem. Cheers - Gary

Kim Merryman April 20, 2021 at 6:14 PM Back to say Congrats on POTD! Blessings, Kim M

Jeanne Mcgee April 20, 2021 at 4:45 PM Wonderful...Congrats on this POTD.

Ann Peck April 20, 2021 at 3:31 PM This is wonderful! You speak for all of us. And so eloquently. Thank you. I'm keeping this poem close. Congrats. It is definitely a poem of the day! Jim Hirtle April 20, 2021 at 4:02 PM Thank you Ann

Tania Kitchin April 20, 2021 at 1:45 PM Congratulations on POTD Jim, wonderfully penned!

Brandy Nicole April 20, 2021 at 11:39 AM ~ They "should" have known, *I am a poet* ~ Of course you are, and all of the above. This is tender and emotional, all at the same time. Your thoughts curl softly around me. Congratulations Jim, on Poem of the Day. ~ Brandy Jim Hirtle April 20, 2021 at 4:07 PM Thank you for your kind and thought provoking comments, Brandy Nicole.

Constance La France April 20, 2021 at 10:45 AM Jim, congratulations on receiving this deserving POEM OF THE DAY honor, your poem touched my heart deeply as my family seldom read my poetry and thus do not know the poet in me, A FAV for me, love _Constance Jim Hirtle April 20, 2021 at 4:10 PM Here's to the day when families say "I knew her when..."

Christuraj Alex April 20, 2021 at 10:02 AM Congratulations

Paula Goldsmith April 20, 2021 at 8:55 AM Congratulations on your potd win. A creative story/write. "I love it." I also love your line, "They would have known" Yes, I am a poet. Have a blessed day writing away............. Jim Hirtle April 20, 2021 at 4:46 PM Thank you Paula. Jim Hirtle April 20, 2021 at 4:11 PM Thank you Paula.

Unseeking Seeker April 20, 2021 at 8:13 AM Great muse, Jim! Congrats on POTD

Rama Balasubramanian April 20, 2021 at 7:43 AM I simply loved your poem. A favourite for me. Congratulations on your potd. Enjoy the honour. Take care Rama

Ken Rone April 20, 2021 at 7:38 AM "Don't confront me with my failures, I have not forgotten them" said a living poet named Browne. Your POTD was introprospective for me. Thank you.

Robert Pettit April 20, 2021 at 6:33 AM Congratulations for having this fine write selected as poem of the day.

Joseph May April 20, 2021 at 5:01 AM If the obituary was boring, then the Epitaph should read, " I should have known", Congrats n POTD

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