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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

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Line Gauthier Date: 1/20/2021 5:12:00 AM Powerful, John ~ Login to Reply

Susan Ashley Date: 10/20/2020 6:46:00 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 Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/20/2020 10:47:00 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 Date: 10/6/2020 2:22:00 PM John so well written!! Just brilliant! Congrats on your win. Sorry dis not get to read it earlier! Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/6/2020 3:34:00 PM Hi Krish, now worries on the timing - always happy to see your generous input. Enjoy your day my friend ~ John

Caren Krutsinger Date: 10/6/2020 7:19:00 AM Congrats on a top win; it is exquisite! Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/6/2020 9:22:00 AM Thank you Caren, such a lovely word ~ John

Jeanne Mcgee Date: 10/4/2020 4:36:00 PM This poem and this stanza from the original are simply a fav...wonderful. Congrats on your top win. Jeanne Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/4/2020 7:22:00 PM I really appreciate your lovely comment, Jeanne! Have a great week.

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 10/4/2020 8:51:00 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 Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/4/2020 12:26:00 PM Thank you dear Connie! I responded to your Soup mail with and email. I appreciate your friendship.

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 10/3/2020 5:57:00 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. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/4/2020 12:25:00 PM You are such an encouragement to me, Jennifer! Thank you once again for your kindness and friendship.

Michelle Faulkner Date: 10/2/2020 6:54:00 PM Another gold win for another gold write - hope you have room on your (virtual) trophy shelf! Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/4/2020 12:25:00 PM Haha, I will try to clear some space on my shelf! Thank you for your kind and gracious comments, Michelle.

Reason A. Poteet Date: 10/2/2020 11:28:00 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. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/2/2020 4:20:00 PM Thank you Reason for stopping by with your thoughtful comment. Enjoy your weekend.

Jenna Logan Date: 10/2/2020 9:20:00 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. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/2/2020 4:19:00 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.

Sam Kauffman Date: 10/2/2020 9:18:00 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! Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/2/2020 4:20:00 PM Thank you and blessings to you as well, dear friend!

Laura Leiser Date: 10/2/2020 8:15:00 AM Congrats on yet another trophy win, John, with this excellent piece! So happy for you..you are “smokin’”! :) Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/2/2020 1:40:00 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 Date: 10/2/2020 6:22:00 AM Evocative imagery John. Well-penned my friend! Congratulations on the win! Linda Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/2/2020 1:37:00 PM Much appreciated comments, Linda. Enjoy your weekend, my friend ~ John

Beata Agustin Date: 10/2/2020 4:59:00 AM Wow! Congrats! You personified words in this muse so powerfully. God bless you. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/2/2020 1:36:00 PM Thank you for stopping by to read and leave me your ever so kind comments. Blessings ~ John

Gregory Richard Barden Date: 10/1/2020 9:51:00 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 Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/1/2020 10:39:00 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 Date: 10/1/2020 3:32:00 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. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 10/1/2020 10:40:00 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.

Ilene Bauer Date: 9/29/2020 5:17:00 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! Login to Reply John Watt Date: 9/29/2020 5:36:00 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 Date: 9/29/2020 1:03:00 PM I remember the original for this one too :) You are on a hot streak, am hoping for a win for you! Login to Reply John Watt Date: 9/29/2020 5:04:00 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 Date: 9/29/2020 11:57:00 AM Wow! An outstanding description of the power of words, John. Excellent. A fave for me too. Hugs, Carolyn Login to Reply John Watt Date: 9/29/2020 5:03:00 PM Big thanks for the fave and wonderful friendly visit, Carolyn! I hope your day is going well, my friend.

Jan Allison Date: 9/29/2020 11:50:00 AM You are an exception poet John! I especially love that opening line! Into my faves:-) hugs jan xx Login to Reply John Watt Date: 9/29/2020 11:55:00 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