Whys

Lots of whys
in life:
Why this,
and not that?
And, dear Lord, of
all Your unlimited whys

why on earth this?!

And the whens, wheres
and hows
no less confounding -- 
explicitly, words do not
resolve themselves alone

dictionaries often shelf
what needs to be actively open
and boundless in mind -- 

the scholar paints
their arid landscapes

while the poet gives them
or-gasm --
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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George Avatar
June 6, 2025 at 5:32 AM
We keep asking - 'Why'.... and a volley of questions. But we get no definite answer. As the scholar can paint only arid landscapes, the poet is able to do something very sensational.... ! So who is greater? Again a question... :)
DiMino Avatar
June 7, 2025 at 12:59 AM
The difference between poetry and being a poet. Poetry can can be technical...focus more on pattern -- like math -- or poetry can be more feeling...texture, color and scent -- not to say that a good poem does not have recognizable form. Less with the eyes though...and more with the heart.
Wolf Avatar
June 5, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Stopping at line seven, I find myself thinking and rethinking the question again and again, over and over... ad infinitum... btw: A group of ancient Sages once came up with this, following hours of spirited back-and-forth: "It were better had man not been created than created. However, since he was created, let him examine his deeds." --Talmud, Arachin 15a. ~ Gershon
DiMino Avatar
June 7, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Some very wise thinkers you follow. Truth is timeless...real truth...spiritual truth -- if it was true thousands of years ago, it is just as true now. Thank you, Gershon. Knowing is maybe less important than living? Certainly we are not here, to teach God anything.
Buhagiar Avatar
May 26, 2025 at 9:47 AM
We all have our whys. I have a poem of the same title written ages ago and I don't know what it's all about. One day I'll post it hopefully I'll be still around. Your poem is very interesting, though.
DiMino Avatar
May 26, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Why don't you know what it is about:) Thank you, Victor.
Dietrich Avatar
May 25, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Awesome ending there. So clever
DiMino Avatar
May 25, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Hi Andrea; thank you. Always a challenge to be freshly evocative. The never ending journey of poetry.
Wolf Avatar
May 25, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Hmm. Interesting. Never thought there was that much difference between the 'scholar' and the 'poet.' ~ Ope Ning Ise
DiMino Avatar
May 26, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Hi Gershon. Most of us are a combination of both, -- emotions our poetic nature. Pure Logic is anticlimactic when it comes to great poetry...it is just great! Sort of like Truth being self evident. One cannot analyze a great poem independent of the the author.
Rose  Avatar
May 25, 2025 at 12:29 PM
so many things that need unearthing Joe, and sometimes only through, poetry do we open up and allow the meaning to come through. Art does the same and music too for me, thanks for this lovely poem,
DiMino Avatar
May 26, 2025 at 12:14 AM
So nice that we have many forms of poetic nature. We are blessed. Thank you, Vie. Have a great weekend.
Empress Avatar
May 25, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Oh what an ending dear joe! As always you express what we all think daily, in such a seamless manner! So many whys in this world, i was one of them, i had so many questions; and i realized within those questions, answers did flow, and if we listen to our own curious minds, we will hear all that which we need to know! The answers is within us. Sometimes: if that makes sense. Im no philosopher but somehow your poems make me sound a little bit like one when commenting hah! Brilliant one as always! Sending you light today and always
DiMino Avatar
May 26, 2025 at 12:16 AM
All poets are philosophers...while all philosophers are not poets. Indeed, the answers are inside of us before we even ask the questions. Beautifully said!
Andresen Avatar
May 25, 2025 at 4:23 AM
- Thoughts like this we often wonder about ... great written, Joe :) - hugs
DiMino Avatar
May 25, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Thank you, Anne. It's all about depth of feelings...deeper passion. Without deeper passion, we are all very controllable, functioning...atheists. As robots become more and more sophisticated, they will be less and less controllable. When a robot is totally uncontrollable, unpredictable in poignant senses, individual, then it is humanly relatable. Intelligence is not necessarily carbon based. Sentient spirit, is closely related to soul. To extrapolate, further out, where this is going -- God is in everything. We will travel great distances into time and space, by projecting our essences, forming connections that will give us extended presence. Tentacles of universal consciousness into all that has been, and will be.
Mckeithan Avatar
May 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Good one Joe. My wife is a very talented artist and her work is excellent but once painted it is done. We poets on the other hand can change the same poem over and over.
DiMino Avatar
May 24, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Thank you, Oliver; my wife is an artist also. Such a joy to have a creative family. And we do...if not change the words then we change the way we recite them -- works always in progress.
Goldsmith Avatar
May 24, 2025 at 10:38 AM
I enjoyed reading your wonderful "Whys" write. Many questions with few answers. Have a great weekend.........
DiMino Avatar
May 24, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Questions are so much more fun:) Thank you, Paula. Have a wonderful weekend!
Lane Avatar
May 24, 2025 at 7:53 AM
I recognize your artistry in these lines, Joe. To me, Scholars think. Artists paint but poets do both, their thoughts are painted not with a brush, but with words and phrases that allow their readers to see through their eyes. When a reader comments and I can tell they’ve found my meaning, it’s like I’ve touched them.
DiMino Avatar
May 24, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Hi Lin; very well said. Poet's write a living word, as opposed to just giving information, or drafting a static picture.
Rodrigues Avatar
May 24, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Interesting write, Joe! Lots of thoughts go through the mind as I read this! A smile at the end…why ;)
DiMino Avatar
May 24, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Him; thank you. Have a great weekend, as we give thanks to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Blessings my friend.
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