We Are Not Merely Poets

Some of us are secretive at first. We hide our poetry’s soul self, 
gently letting her peep out; sometimes regretting it immediately.
Fearful of critiques from people who do not understand that poetry 
is something we are compelled and born to do with our feelings.
Your diary entries may form themselves into goodness or badness
before you realize your calling as a poet.

Truths shockingly ooze out, surprising you.
Feelings creep out onto a page, in loud angry letters,
or romantic feelings daintily brush onto a crisp lined page
in the form of sweetness and light.

You are a word player, because you cannot
stop this obsession, but it does not define you.
This poetry gig is but a glimmer of a glimpse of yourself.
You might be a caregiver, or a wonderful friend.
People who count on your smile every day may not realize
you have a love affair with words, and an obsession to write them.

We are each a unique jewel, mined from God’s mind.
Poetry may initiate a whisper of a tiny facet of ourselves,
but our secrets are safe. We not merely poets. We are lovers
of life, and words. Most importantly, we remain gloriously hidden 
and unknown to most.

Written 12-20-18        Contest:  You Are Not Defined by Poetry
             Sponsor:  John Hamilton
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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123
Derden Avatar
October 2, 2025 at 7:51 AM
A wonderful piece—a poetic affirmation of the poet's identity that goes beyond the words themselves.
AGARWAL Avatar
March 4, 2024 at 3:49 AM
So so beautiful. Also new here please do check out my poems:)
Empress Avatar
August 19, 2023 at 7:51 AM
This is so true and resonates on so many levels for me, as i am often left feeling the same, i hide, and sometimes i hide behind metaphors and sometimes reluctant to share poetry to the world too , too afraid of critiques, you really do have an understanding of what all of us feel and this poem deserves more recognition. And i agree “ we are all unique jewels”
Krutsinger Avatar
August 19, 2023 at 1:21 PM
thank you for reading this one - I appreciate that even though it was written many years ago it resonates with other poets
Kaufman Avatar
June 19, 2023 at 12:08 PM
Hi Caren, This is really good. I am so happy that I found it today.
Krutsinger Avatar
June 20, 2023 at 1:05 PM
I am glad that you found it too Nancy; thank you for letting me know you liked it.
Poetry Avatar
March 31, 2023 at 1:23 AM
It is important to always bear in mind that the poet is not what he writes, he is a reader with another vision... a poetic vision. emanated from the love for words, for humanity and for himself... I loved YOUR POETRY DEAR Caren ! salute, alkas
Krutsinger Avatar
March 31, 2023 at 1:12 PM
Thank you ever so much! I appreciate the appreciation and the salute
Villalon Avatar
January 12, 2023 at 3:42 PM
I like your poem Miss Caren! Cliff
Krutsinger Avatar
January 13, 2023 at 6:44 AM
Thank you Cliff
Cook Avatar
June 5, 2022 at 5:13 AM
It's probably much, much too late to leave a message but I came across your poem randomly and just had to let you know how right you are "love affair with words" Am I being unfaithful to my husband?
Krutsinger Avatar
June 5, 2022 at 6:53 PM
Thank you so much! I LOVE words so much! Not unfaithful at all; I appreciate your appreciation my friend!
Amadore Avatar
March 11, 2022 at 4:47 PM
Deeply insightful (and truer than many would believe.) An important revelatory message for new (and older) members on this site. Kudos.
Krutsinger Avatar
March 12, 2022 at 5:02 AM
Thank you so much Leo
Roper Avatar
February 9, 2022 at 10:39 PM
This poetry gig is but a glimmer of a glimpse of yourself. So true. Not only lovers of life, but lovers of nature's art to put on drawing paper.
Krutsinger Avatar
February 11, 2022 at 1:05 AM
Thank you Eve - I always like rereading this one.
Croft Avatar
January 20, 2022 at 8:41 AM
You are right we are not merely poets! not only do i like counting out my syllables for haiku, but my obsession is paper and pens!
Krutsinger Avatar
January 20, 2022 at 8:27 PM
Thank you Karen. I do like this little poem. I reread it when someone else finds it, so thank you for that!
Gauthier Avatar
June 15, 2021 at 8:21 AM
Delightful poem, Caren ~ congrats
Krutsinger Avatar
June 16, 2021 at 8:20 AM
Thank you Line.
Theraven Avatar
April 18, 2021 at 11:38 AM
Caren, Love to read your best poems and the timeless comments. Perhaps we'll find it one day; a time and place where all that was old is new again. -Richard
Krutsinger Avatar
April 18, 2021 at 4:32 PM
I think we will! I kind of like this one, thanks for bringing it back to my memory Richard
Kaufman Avatar
March 11, 2021 at 8:27 AM
very soulful Ms. Caren and accurate. thank you
Krutsinger Avatar
March 11, 2021 at 12:47 PM
Thank you Nancy. This is so old, but I still like it.
Peck Avatar
March 4, 2021 at 4:14 PM
I just found this poem. It's so filled with emotion, I'm not sure which one to choose. Your mind is beautiful.
Krutsinger Avatar
March 4, 2021 at 9:17 PM
Thank you Ann. I am so glad someone else has found it. I remember how nervous I was when I wrote it; fearful someone might not like it.
Musarra Avatar
November 18, 2020 at 9:04 AM
Beautiful written! You've described the true essence of a poet.
Eliely Avatar
January 16, 2021 at 11:35 AM
Thank you so much Caren. Your warm words of encouragement mean lot to a new poet like me on this site. I was a bit apprehensive of even putting my work on here, but you helped me to push forward. Thank you again so much.
Krutsinger Avatar
November 18, 2020 at 6:57 PM
Thank you Stephanie. I appreciate it.
Watt Avatar
August 17, 2020 at 11:51 AM
Caren, I adore the line "We are each a unique jewel, mined from God’s mind". It says so much, but also your insights about the private lives many of us sustain unbeknownst to our neighbors, co-workers, even family members. Most do not appreciate poetry and may even roll their eyes at it, but those who do, understand it's not just a fun hobby, it's an inner drive, a calling. I love everything about this poem and I'm storing it in my faves to reread in the future. God bless your day ~ John
Krutsinger Avatar
August 18, 2020 at 3:02 PM
Thank you John. This is such a marvelous comment. I am storing this comment in my "faves'.
Blake Avatar
July 28, 2020 at 11:10 PM
Well done Caren, poet are not an easy bunch to try and describe, but this poem does a very good job of it. All the best ~ Clive
Krutsinger Avatar
July 29, 2020 at 9:51 AM
Thank you Clive. It is weird to me how secretive I was about it at first, as if it was doing "something wrong".
Hamilton Avatar
July 27, 2020 at 9:20 AM
I re-read this one again, even better this time 'round, I'm glad my contest sparked a light in you to write this. Funny thinking back to the contest this was not what I was expecting, but I had to reward it for the fine composition that it is, congrats on being highly rated in the all-time top 100. I feel like I have a small input to this great write a warm feeling, I have to fave this one Caren
Krutsinger Avatar
July 28, 2020 at 4:23 AM
John, I am so grateful that you held that contest because even though I was brand spanking new to writing poetry, this one resonated with so many "real" poets. I owe you big, John, I truly do!
Nyaga Avatar
July 7, 2020 at 9:29 AM
Wonderful penning and so universally holds true. A lovely poem.. \\Almighty Blessings
Krutsinger Avatar
July 7, 2020 at 9:54 PM
Thank you Lewis. I appreciate it.
Theraven Avatar
June 6, 2020 at 12:58 AM
What wonderful caregivers there must be. Can we hope they see this poem one day?
Theraven Avatar
June 18, 2020 at 9:37 AM
Now I want a new car. "] -R
Krutsinger Avatar
June 6, 2020 at 7:20 AM
Yes we can, but not today. I have a new car to drive around today!
Ray Choudhury Avatar
May 14, 2020 at 7:29 PM
"Your diary entries may form themselves into goodness or badness before you realize your calling as a poet." these lines resonate with me, and probably with many! Identify myself in your poem about poets.Thank you, Caren!
Krutsinger Avatar
May 15, 2020 at 5:41 AM
Thank you Malabika. The thing is - I did not think I was a poet really, but the people on this website would not give up on me and made me into one eventually. I owe so much to them!
Dunlap Avatar
May 12, 2020 at 3:36 PM
I can identify with this. It's so true it hurts. Largely unknown is our fate too, for that matter. Bon boulot. Beau travail. Keep on trucking. ;)
Krutsinger Avatar
May 12, 2020 at 4:21 PM
I am less secretive now that I am cranking them out and not so horrified to see my feelings on a page.
Zacharias Avatar
May 1, 2020 at 11:35 PM
"We are each a unique jewel mined from God's mind." How very beautifully put Caren. Love this poem, it is beautiful. Sincerely, Dawne Zacharias.
Krutsinger Avatar
May 12, 2020 at 4:21 PM
Thank you my friend.
Abboud Avatar
April 17, 2020 at 1:57 PM
Quite pithy. Thanks for sharing.
Krutsinger Avatar
April 17, 2020 at 2:59 PM
Thank you very much Jamal.
Gauthier Avatar
February 3, 2020 at 12:00 AM
Bravo, Caren. Awesome poem.
Krutsinger Avatar
February 3, 2020 at 4:22 PM
Thank you Line.
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