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The Poet's Knife

I am a word, a simple scribble - ink arranged on empty page;
I'm voiced with passion from a preacher's pulpit, or the actor's stage.
I'm sprayed in hate on subway walls or whispered in a lover's ear.
I am the poet's knife; his lyric few will sing, and fewer hear.

Excerpt from the poem "words":
   https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/words_795473

Copyright © John Watt | Year Posted 2020

poetrywordsrhyme

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January 20, 2021 at 5:12 AM

Powerful, John ~

October 20, 2020 at 6:46 PM

John, I know this comment may seem unusual but I see your spectacular poem in colors. I remember this excerpt from "words".. As brilliant as it is, this stanza as a stand alone is especially striking and wears the vivid hues of imagery and emotions, taking on intimate shades of lavender and peach, then a more vibrant splash of red and finished with bittersweet - which reflects both the color and emotion of your last potent and moving line to stunning effect. My mind works in mysterious ways, my wonderful friend..lol! Congratulations, dear poet, for your grand trophy win with this exquisite piece. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

October 20, 2020 at 10:47 PM

Susan, you are a remarkable person and an extraordinary poetry friend. I've heard of people seeing colors when they listen to music but never have I heard that reading poetry has had that effect on a person. That this moves you so deeply is a humbling honor. Thank you for sharing from the riches of your gold mine of experience. You're right about the bittersweet nature of that last line. It speaks to the loneliness we poets sometimes feel. What a blessing your friendship is to me!

Krish Radhakrishna

October 6, 2020 at 2:22 PM

John so well written!! Just brilliant! Congrats on your win. Sorry dis not get to read it earlier!

October 6, 2020 at 3:34 PM

Hi Krish, now worries on the timing - always happy to see your generous input. Enjoy your day my friend ~ John

Caren Krutsinger

October 6, 2020 at 7:19 AM

Congrats on a top win; it is exquisite!

October 6, 2020 at 9:22 AM

Thank you Caren, such a lovely word ~ John

October 4, 2020 at 4:36 PM

This poem and this stanza from the original are simply a fav...wonderful. Congrats on your top win. Jeanne

October 4, 2020 at 7:22 PM

I really appreciate your lovely comment, Jeanne! Have a great week.

Connie Marcum Wong

October 4, 2020 at 8:51 AM

A tiny capsule of the power of words that make poetry so great. This is so deserving of first place John! Congratulations on your Trophy! Soup mail...blessings xxoo

October 4, 2020 at 12:26 PM

Thank you dear Connie! I responded to your Soup mail with and email. I appreciate your friendship.

Jennifer Proxenos

October 3, 2020 at 5:57 AM

You write is so amazing my good friend the last line in your stanza says a lot, - I know if your muse is playing games with you, it becomes desperate, but always remember you write so, so well on you own! Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

October 4, 2020 at 12:25 PM

You are such an encouragement to me, Jennifer! Thank you once again for your kindness and friendship.

Michelle Faulkner

October 2, 2020 at 6:54 PM

Another gold win for another gold write - hope you have room on your (virtual) trophy shelf!

October 4, 2020 at 12:25 PM

Haha, I will try to clear some space on my shelf! Thank you for your kind and gracious comments, Michelle.

Reason A. Poteet

October 2, 2020 at 11:28 AM

Neat thoughts, John, your excellent use of the English language to express such thoughts is to be commended - BRAVO. Well-chosen for first place.

October 2, 2020 at 4:20 PM

Thank you Reason for stopping by with your thoughtful comment. Enjoy your weekend.

October 2, 2020 at 9:20 AM

Choosing your excerpt as the first place winner was an excellent choice. Congratulations, John. I'm sorry I missed reading it when you posted it.

October 2, 2020 at 4:19 PM

Thank you for the kind words and congrats, Jenna. Don't sweat the timing, I've been taking a mini break myself and haven't kept up with my commenting. Enjoy your weekend, my friend.

October 2, 2020 at 9:18 AM

Congratulations John on your first place win! Powerful words and verbs, "splayed," - the word of the day right to the point! Blessings dear friend!

October 2, 2020 at 4:20 PM

Thank you and blessings to you as well, dear friend!

October 2, 2020 at 8:15 AM

Congrats on yet another trophy win, John, with this excellent piece! So happy for you..you are “smokin’”! :)

October 2, 2020 at 1:40 PM

Laura, I'm grateful to God for your friendship, poetic and otherwise. Your words of support are always appreciated. Enjoy your weekend, my friend!

Linda Alice Fowler

October 2, 2020 at 6:22 AM

Evocative imagery John. Well-penned my friend! Congratulations on the win! Linda

October 2, 2020 at 1:37 PM

Much appreciated comments, Linda. Enjoy your weekend, my friend ~ John

October 2, 2020 at 4:59 AM

Wow! Congrats! You personified words in this muse so powerfully. God bless you.

October 2, 2020 at 1:36 PM

Thank you for stopping by to read and leave me your ever so kind comments. Blessings ~ John

Gregory Richard Barden

October 1, 2020 at 9:51 PM

Wow - you are on a roll, John - this was clearly the top spot placement from the first read, and got better from there ... everything I look for in good poetry done to excellence, and another 1st place for you - congrats, my friend - LOTS of quality in this contest, and a superb list to top! - the bard

October 1, 2020 at 10:39 PM

Blown away. You just made my week, Greg. I know what a tough but fair judge you are, so this means the world to me. As always, thank you sir, for the contest and the blessing of a win. If it means anything, I have learned so much reading your creations and aspiring to grow in the directions you have long excelled in. Blessings brother ~ John

Regina Mcintosh

October 1, 2020 at 3:32 AM

I love this. It's exquisite and intriguing and a compelling adventure through words all at once. I love it. God bless you, my dear friend, with love and prayers.

October 1, 2020 at 10:40 PM

Thank you, dear Gina. Your comment is a work of art. I appreciate your ongoing support and always enjoy your poetry. Blessings, my friend.

September 29, 2020 at 5:17 PM

pure genius, john! who wouldn't love this poem? i couldn't be friends with that person! while i agree with jan that the first line is amazing, i am partial to the last one - just brilliant!

September 29, 2020 at 5:36 PM

You're killing me with kindness, ilene! Very grateful. Enjoy your day in NYC, and don't get stung by any bees!

Michelle Faulkner

September 29, 2020 at 1:03 PM

I remember the original for this one too :) You are on a hot streak, am hoping for a win for you!

September 29, 2020 at 5:04 PM

You have such a good memory, Michelle. This was digging deep into the caverns of my earliest days at Soup. Appreciate the read and friendly wishes ~ John

Carolyn Devonshire

September 29, 2020 at 11:57 AM

Wow! An outstanding description of the power of words, John. Excellent. A fave for me too. Hugs, Carolyn

September 29, 2020 at 5:03 PM

Big thanks for the fave and wonderful friendly visit, Carolyn! I hope your day is going well, my friend.

September 29, 2020 at 11:50 AM

You are an exception poet John! I especially love that opening line! Into my faves:-) hugs jan xx

September 29, 2020 at 11:55 AM

You've been a great poetry friend this week, dear Jan. I've been dealing with my own little "lose the muse" for a couple weeks now. Your comments and faves have really lifted my spirits. Many thanks and hugs ~ John

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