Get Your Premium Membership

The Wordsmith

Poet's Notes
(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Michelle Faulkner.


This is for my good friend John Watt, in honor of his birthday. all the quotes are titles of his poems - Happy Birthday, John!

He welds and melts, pours and molds In his "Conversations with My Soul" He smooths the rough steel of syllables Into a "Portrait" graced by his "Play on Words" Unrolling "Scenes from a Countryside" to "That Starry Night" Whether "October Skies" or "In November" "Moonlight" So, "If Ever I Don't Know" which way my adjectives should go when wandering "A Starry Galaxy" I follow the "Sinuous Melody" To cross the river and climb the boulder While tapping "Gently on the Shoulder" He finds summer in "A Piece of Winter" As a friend, brother and mentor He is welcoming, and when reading your poem His comments are "To You Alone" And if you come to say "I Needed Wings Today" He will weave lines in a "Distinct Ballet" As if "It Came Upon a Prophecy" And not from some stifled "Academy" Dear John, please continue to "Compose" Even when "Getting Old is Getting Old" Without your gift We are "Too Soon Bereft" The "Verbal Miracles" you perform Show how "All of Life is a Poem" You have been my friend my artistry sibling, "And I Am Grateful". 12/20/23

Copyright © | Year Posted 2023




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 1/21/2024 7:50:00 PM
Bravo, Michelle! Encore for John's next birthday!
Login to Reply
Date: 1/21/2024 3:36:00 AM
I don't know who John is, but anyone who can inspire others always gets my vote.
Login to Reply
Date: 1/6/2024 4:20:00 AM
Hi Michelle your poem to John is breathtakingly expressive and I agree with you that his humanity and honest thoughts he entwines into his poems, are from the heart. You conveyed to us artfully and with intense thought his approach to poetry . I had a very quiet patch with John, it coincided with a bad fall - All good now,- a fav. for me a wordsmith and a friend. Hugs and blessings Jennifer.
Login to Reply
Date: 12/29/2023 10:34:00 AM
Congratulations on being on the "100 Best New Poems" list for Soup. A wonderful write/story for John with a great ending. "Love It" You both are wonderful writers... Have a great/wonderful day/2024 writing away.................
Login to Reply
Date: 12/22/2023 9:03:00 AM
Dear Michelle, your ingenious use of rhymes and John's titles meld seamlessly into a masterwork of poetry and a beautiful tribute in honor of your poetry friendship with John. Indeed, he is a "Wordsmith" (perfect title!), a gifted poet and a grand inspiration. Your splendid pen gleams with poetic finesse, poignant artistry and shining gratitude. I admire and adore this tender and creative piece. A fav! Warmest wishes to you and yours for a Happy Holiday Season, my sweet friend.. ~Susan
Login to Reply
Date: 12/22/2023 5:47:00 AM
Michelle, you have penned a very inspiring and beautiful poem in honor of John's birthday, love it, blessings
Login to Reply
Date: 12/21/2023 7:39:00 PM
What a clever way to use John’s poem titles to truly express this special Wordsmith and friend, Michelle. I’m sure he will love this! :)
Login to Reply
Date: 12/21/2023 7:22:00 PM
So sweet of you Michelle, to write this for John. He is a good friend, indeed. Your thoughts are so beautiful and tender. Happy birthday, John. :) Hugs, Brandy
Login to Reply
Date: 12/21/2023 9:08:00 AM
Great poem for an amazing guy. I wish I would hear from him more often. I don't think he posted much this year. Such a busy man.
Login to Reply
Date: 12/21/2023 3:41:00 AM
A wonderful tribute poem to John on his birthday Michelle, so very thoughtful of you … Belle
Login to Reply
Date: 12/20/2023 8:26:00 PM
What a beautiful tribute to John, a fine poet and a gentleman. Hope you're keeping well Michelle. Have a lovely Christmas and a happy new year. Tom
Login to Reply
Date: 12/20/2023 8:14:00 PM
Michelle, John is certainly a poet worthy of such a tribute. This was no easy task and I see how touched John was by your wonderful poem. Kudos to both of you!
Login to Reply
Date: 12/20/2023 8:03:00 PM
Oh my stars and garters! You have wowed me beyond words, Michelle. What an honor to be so thoughtfully gifted with such an amazing quilt of poem titles, stitched together with the loving care and craft that you are so well known for. A thousand thousand thanks, dear friend. You have made my birthday so special. And I Am Grateful for you as well! Hugs ~ John
Login to Reply
Date: 12/20/2023 5:29:00 PM
I'll have to look him up. You sure did him justice. :)
Login to Reply

Book: Reflection on the Important Things