We Call It Poetry

An old one on the observation of poets.

Poetry as a haven for the voiceless

With poetry--

A lonely woman 
can write about her lover 
on valentine's day. 
She can describe his most endearing traits 
line upon line upon line--
                               as if...he existed.

A young girl 
can share her deepest erotic thoughts, 
demonstrating an ability 
to take the reader's hand
and guide them with her words,
leaving them satiated--
but only 
if she's skilled enough.

For those depressed 
and those searching 
to release their pain--
It's a bloodletting.

They've been raped,
they've been bullied,
ignored and even wounded. 
The dark side held them too long.

They need you to listen 
or simply just notice they're alive. 
They may wonder if writing 
is all a fruitless endeavor
when their written cries for help
go unnoticed.

But behind poetry's walls...

A man can offer us a character, 
from a fictitious town
that resembles trees, sidewalks, 
roads and even paths 
of his own treasured youth. 

An adolescent can share a broken heart 
with a seemingly invisible world. 
He/she can release all the angst, 
tear by tear, 
until the poem has ended--
         for now. 

Poetry is a haven 
for ideas, rants, memories or thoughts 
that otherwise would go unheard by most.
The family simply wouldn't understand.  

It is a platform 
for those skilled or unskilled; 
for those confident 
and those apprehensive; 
for those that standout 
and those whose computer 
is their only escape. 

Some here,
have painstakingly learned 
poetry has its elements: 
meter, rhyme, metaphor, and more.
As for others, 
form, cadence, line breaks... 
are all unimportant.

The prolific and the obscene;
those with morals 
and those without;
religious; atheists...
they're all involved.

People have left poetry 
for greener pastures, 
only to re-emerge 
days, weeks, or even years later
when the writer needed another ear 
to listen to all he/she wanted to say.

It is a source of frustration, 
joy and confusion, 
all mentioned into one place.

It is your yesteryear, your today, 
and all your tomorrows. 

It's a percentage of your life, 
your time and your thoughts. 
It consists of creation
and destruction.

It's a statement; it's a confession.
It's a voice that understands;
It's a disciplinarian that doesn't.
It's a welcome sign.
It's a keep out sign.
It's a microcosm of continents 
and far off cultures.
It's a ghost from the past.
It's a community.
It's a small town.
It's a lyrical lagoon.

It's you...it's me...it's us
sailing within
our own private harbor.

And we call it

POETRY.

Author's Note

.

Reviews

[Woody]

brilliant depiction of WC and its "patrons". as I was reading along, I caught myself nodding in ascent cos you really hit it on the head, Relic.
I find WC a wonderful place to spend time and learn and, maybe, bring something with you for all to see.
good one, Relic.

[Relic]

Thanks so much for the review Woody

[Delmar Cooper]

This is a very interesting post, interesting and not a little frightening. The way the use of WC is posited it is a form of abreaction therapy, a place where the self taught Dianetics technician can do his own engram search. The last half of the post brings to mind the catechistical dogma of the main character in "V for Vendetta."

I suppose it is all correct as written and yet a question looms in my mind about where the writer of pure imagination goes to practice his craft? Is it all reaction to trauma or lust for unfulfilled desire? Is it just place to marinade memory in ink?

I guess my question is ,"what about the rest of us - the ordinary liars who only want to sculpt an entertaining yarn?"

[Relic]

I wouldn't know the answer to your query but is a story teller not a professional liar in some way, Marinading segments of his past into a character he invents?

[Shannon April Alice]

relic, you are the consummate host. your enthusiasm for everyone's work is inspiring and your networking for other writers (just because you believe in the work) is proof of your own ability and talent as a writer *and general all around great human-bean* ;)

[Relic]

haha, When I was young I was as skinny as a bean. Not now. Thanks very much Shannon and its good to see you again. :)

[DoormanDan]

Wow, this is the best explanation of everything this website is meant to be about that I have ever seen. You have written every line so well, and it really drives home the message that this website is basically a place for people to be heard and understood. Phenomenal performance, that's all I can say! :)

[Relic]

Thank you very much.

[DoormanDan]

You are very welcome, it was my pleasure to read it :)

[Marie]

I never thought of W/C this way before, but I can see it now. It is sometimes very frustrating, and I have looked for other writing sites, but this is still the best one.

[Relic]

I have to agree Marie. I've often been frustrated here but there's no other site as good as this one. Thanks for your review.

[Ariana Omnomnom]

I really enjoyed this poem because I know it's true. The same goes for other sites that are used as an outlet, like deviantart.com. Also for sites like instagram and tumblr when used right. Regrdless of what writerscafe mimics, I found this poem to be 100% accurate.

[Relic]

Great review Ariana. Thanks.

[Jimmy Yetts]

Seems to me you've pretty much covered it all--and quite eloquently.
A fresh, perceptive, intriguing read, Relic!

[Relic]

Thanks very much Frankie.

[Dara]

I am a fairly new member of the WC and very quickly saw what you have written about, above. A poetic refugee from another site, it was such a relief to find another one where I could house my poetry and find people with like minds and experiences to share. Thank you for this.

[Relic]

Welcome to WC Dara. I'm glad you liked it. You may find a rogue here and there, but for the most part, this is one of the best writing sites on the net. I'm happy to see you here.

[Matching Socks]

This is one of those pieces that reminds us no matter who we are in life, we all have one thing in common.
We are human. Not perfect, bruised and flawed, but with a voice and the courage to share a piece of ourselves. Thank you for writing this for us.

[Relic]

Thanks for reading.

[Jerome F Knox III pseud..]

Sometimes a review is not needed as the work speaks for itself. Stand up take a bow and bask in the applause.

[Relic]

haha, thanks very much Rico.