Valsa George Poet Free verse

What Poetry Is

When letters wait to pounce on a blank page,
when thoughts crowd the mind like frothing scum in a pond
I keep wondering what poetry is to me and to many

Is it not the language of the heart
with no intervention of gray matter
the unlocking of closed vaults
stirring the embers of love, hurt or pain 
or giving a free rein to fancy and flying 
on magic carpets to lands forlorn

Sometimes it is a glide into a sea of tranquillity
an escape from the humdrum of the world
a flash of liberation from assaults of pain
a sedative to numb the turmoil
a sanctuary for a burdened heart
a window to look at the world through
a companion when one is inconsolably alone
a candle flame in a darkening world
a cloth line to hang the dirty laundry 
a water lily blooming in the pool of tears
a shelter in homelessness

sometimes it is a ladder to climb up to Heavens 
an angel on wings with tidings of hope
peace in a world braced for war

Poetry, if you are all these let us fall at your feet
bless us in our art, may we splurge in fancy
and conjure up worlds from words!

Our poems may not be light houses
but could be fireflies on a starless night!


Submitted for Brian Strand Premiere Choice Poetry Contest

July. 25. 2022

 Submitted for Marathon Mile, No.14. Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Mark Toney

~ Placed First~
Poem on Poetry Muse Poetry Contest
Sponsor – Beta Agustin

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Eve Roper May 1, 2022 at 12:54 PM Congratulations on a wonderful write for Beata’s contest. Blessings to you

Malabika Ray Choudhury April 30, 2022 at 3:32 AM "a water lily blooming in the pool of tears" - love the image in these lines, and all images seeking an answer to what poetry is! Dear Valsa, congratulations on your lovely win - well-deserved! Dear Poetess, your poem is truly a gem. Love ~ Mala

John Watt April 29, 2022 at 9:38 PM Oh my, Valsa! Line after line of inspired verse telling the story of poetry as it tells the story of our lives. "may we splurge in fancy and conjure up worlds from words!" is one line I love and the whole stanza "Sometimes it is a ladder, to climb up to Heavens. an angel on wings, with tidings of hope. peace in a world, braced for war". You have provided many reasons why we love poetry, and why it can make a difference in the world. A Fave for me, and a double congrats for the 2 contests ~ John

Christuraj Alex April 29, 2022 at 7:56 PM Congratulations, again!

Connie Marcum Wong April 29, 2022 at 11:28 AM A wonderful poet’s poem Valsa. Very inspiring. Congratulations on your wonderful win! I enjoyed every word! Blessings xxoo

Beata Agustin April 29, 2022 at 8:11 AM Congrats! Thanks for your participation, making this poetic occasion jubilant. Belated Poetry Day, dear poetess. God bless you.

Gary Radice April 29, 2022 at 6:25 AM Really lovely poem Valsa. I guess poetry means different things to different people. The expressions, the styles and the emotions conveyed all come under this mighty big umbrella word of 'poetry'. I particularly like your third stanza. Cheers - Gary

Unseeking Seeker April 29, 2022 at 4:33 AM Beautiful, enjoyed from start to finish, congrats Valsa!

JC Brul April 29, 2022 at 2:46 AM This gem speaks volumes my heart couldn't contain. Congratulations on your awesome win!

Christuraj Alex April 29, 2022 at 1:53 AM So many metaphors and similes and images. A beautifully written poem. Congratulations!

Caren Krutsinger April 26, 2022 at 8:44 AM Poetry is always this for me Valsas " Sometimes it is a glide into a sea of tranquillity an escape from the humdrum of the world"

Sotto Poet April 25, 2022 at 6:03 PM For many individuals all around the globe, Valsa, poetry serves as a source of hope as well as a source of love. It exits our brains and hearts and enters the actual world via a portal in our hearts and minds. Your poem is really breathtaking in its beauty. Best for a win

Regina Mcintosh April 25, 2022 at 2:29 PM Lovely write. Poetry is all of this and more.. it is a source of hope and a source of love. It is a warmth, an embrace, a tear... it is so much I can't even imagine telling of it.. and your poem is just beautiful - I love it. God bless you my friend. Love, Gina

Rico Leffanta April 25, 2022 at 11:29 AM The Bible preaches the "Word" when reality is the "Light". As you see the firefly, and moths see the lighthouse, others see the light of the stars which blind us to their struggle to survive. Well done, Valsa! Aloha!

L Milton Hankins April 25, 2022 at 9:40 AM Valsa, this is so beautifully written. I wish you the very best in Beata's contest.

Vijay Pandit April 25, 2022 at 5:40 AM Once again you shine in these words from your talented pen. The voice of your metaphors adorn your poem. Poetry is everything you say it is--language of the heart--as you say, Valsa.

Silpika Kalita April 25, 2022 at 12:55 AM This is absolutely what poetry is Valsa, this composition truly speaks to my soul. Poetry as an excellent catharsis is what each and every line of yours depicts. Thanks for this golden share as we all can relate

Tom Cunningham April 24, 2022 at 10:50 PM From our hearts and soul it travels along a conduit to the tangible world. You captured it well Valsa. Best of luck and enjoy the week ahead. Tom

Victor Buhagiar April 24, 2022 at 10:34 PM Dear Valsa, you outdid your self. So much imagery to express what it feels to write a poem. I loved the idea o a sea of tranquillity. Best for a win.