The One Hundred Poems

My True Verse

One hundred poems

I gave to you sweet reader

I gave you nothing

One true verse I shape

My longing for the One

Penned with alchemy ink

Distilled of cries of anguish 

Titrated with a thousand tears of

Love’s despair

One true verse recited in the

Rhythm of my beating heart

That Sufi drum of zikr

Each line in secret whispered

On every taken breath

One hundred lies I gave you reader

Bawdy limericks of the ego

One true Poet writes

May his grace make me his quill

La ilaha illallah

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Reminds me of writing poetry since 1970 and still trying to write that one poem that might make my name.
Plath was trying to do that, not realizing most everything she wrote was making her name.
Why do we think we are never quite good enough?

[Michael Sun Bear]

This is not intended to be a poem about writing. It is a reference to, and description of, Sufism, the mystic’s Path of Love. On this path of spiritual development there comes a time of overwhelming love and longing for the Creator. There is nothing else. On this path, one’s greatest obstacle is the ego which must be turned off or evaded by the grace of God. I used one hundred poems I have written to illustrate my own ego’s pursuits, a vanity, a distraction from my true purpose which is to unite with God, to dissolve my Self into the Creator.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I can see that after you have explained its purpose. But what makes it a really good poem is that others can come to the work and relate their own way even if they are unable to see what actually made the poet write it. Makes it universal.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thanks, I really appreciate that. I have said a very similar thing to a few writers who wrote poems I really liked that I would compare to building a house, they provided the framing and the reader can finish the structure, flesh out the poem by bringing their own past experiences into play, giving the poem an interpretation very personal to the reader. I truly appreciate your thoughtful reading of my poem.

[John the Baptist]

I wouldn't compare myself negatively to the one true Poet. You'll come up short every time. Hard on self esteem.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Please see my response to Jacob.

[Soren]

Landmarks in this poem. One hundred soon to be five hundred then a thousand. Each a marker in and of itself. Well done

[Michael Sun Bear]

Soren, please see my response to Jacob.

[Soren]

In my ignorance of the author's point of view I often interpret things as they strike me not as the author intended. But then such is the beauty of art. I am so glad that you have educated me on its original intent in that it has broadened my world and given the poem greater meaning the beauty of poetry in its multiple meanings and possibilities is like light striking a prism sending off different colored beams in all directions.

[Thomas W Case]

Powerful work. You bring this one home.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thank you Thomas.

[Desert Knave]

Very spiritual and deep. I have, a couple times in my life, had the feeling that a poem came to me through some other's urging, and that's what this write said to me. ~Jim

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thanks for reading Jim, I appreciate your words.