The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide

The Poet As Metaphor, Earth, Self-Taught

A POET AS METAPHOR**********

I am a poet from the common ground, 
From thIs blue planet’s distinctive character— of
Continental shifts and rockslides, from valleys to Mountain crowns — always toiling to reclaim itself.

I am a poet from the land and moil tread
Over by hooves; feet; farmers’ tillers; uncounted
Legions of warriors; and, too,  raindrops blessing
My thirst: before a scorching sun depletes my plenty.

My roots scatter forth in every direction —
Of a lightless substrata and above over the surface
— Unalarmed by obstacles, they will simply 
Course under, around, through or over

To the next stanza of life in modes questioning
God’s necessary work on his majestic tapestries
Comprised of inspirations and threads, instincts
Or the free-willed interactions of all his created.

My voice among all humanity, has seeded slowly, 
While fertilized in aloneness; self-taught In youth 
By the Romantics; and lately by wielding an adz 
To stones til thunder struck forcefully out...

To now, drowning the body, unleashing all
The buried emphasis to sprout through: thus,
The young blades grow bending to this way
Then that in more harmonious breezes, gracefully

Brought on into verse, urging response.  So rest,
My poet’s soul, for the solitude’s been peeled open,
Your pages teem with sister metaphors spiriting up
Their wings in turns around the great lakesides.


*****.....*****.....******.....*****.....******......******
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Legros Kelley Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 1:51 PM
Sally, I see you joined PS about a year before I did, I am looking at my friends first poems, it is fun. I really like this first poem you shared on PS, it is amazing :) I joined in 2021, I still feel like a newbie on here, so many people have been on here for years! You started really well with this write. I will be over soon to read some of your current poems. I wish I had a bit more time to dedicate to PS. I always love your visits to my poems and want to get to know you better :)
Villalon Avatar
February 26, 2023 at 10:19 AM
Your poems of thoughtfulness and kindness are other people's strength and inspiration too. More power to you Miss Sally!
Villalon Avatar
February 16, 2023 at 7:29 AM
You have a very nice poem here Miss Sally! I didn't know you were in coma about 4 yrs ago (Article you wrote titled "P.."). My mother is undergoing dialysis since last year. Now, 2-3x/week the past weeks. It is really heartbreaking. Your words in writing reveal so much of your closeness to God. You care so much about the World and I 'm deeply honored for reading your poems each day for being so natural. Being natural is being the best that we can be -- all original and authentic! God speed
Eslinger Avatar
February 20, 2023 at 2:35 AM
C!jff, p,ease send me your email. I want to write you about your mom. I got diabetes at age 8, have had it 63 years, .have had comp,ications but thankfully my kidneys stilll good.i can feel the strength. ,kve & clmlassion U have for her. Dp keep that hp. I will pray for U oth & write more later hopefully thus afternoon. Hugs.
Horsman Avatar
October 2, 2021 at 9:50 PM
Love to read a soup's friend's first post, this an extraordinary piece of poetry.
Eslinger Avatar
October 8, 2021 at 9:15 AM
Hi, Harry! Interesting re: reading 1st poems. I’ll tell you this came as a rapid emotional response to listening to New Yorker poetry podcast, which I like But they are so full of Harvard lit this and Princeton lit that & who know who, I couldn’t stand it, thus the poet from the earth, etc. I live in Lexington, ky, near to WendellBerry whom I wish I knew, but otherwise, the “inner circles” of poetry are beyond reach. I was so sad when I missed Mystic Rose Rose’s zoom gathering of us PSoup poets, for I respect so many here, like you. Poetry is more world than NYC cafes now. Thanks for your supportive comment. Sincere best wishes.
May Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 6:39 PM
Well pinned my friend, keep writing your words flow like water!!
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The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace