They say once you have perfected the art
of being alone
you are ready for this world;
the weight of misinterpretation is almost enough to topple me,
the current sufficient to take me down far stream.
What use is Poetry?
What’s the function of Poets?
What good does it do nowadays are just few of the absurdities
which I have to deal with on a daily basis.
Listen here;
in times of adversity poetry is twilight on fire,
the sand more sepia,
a miracle that arrives when the heart least expects it,
its words are kindness,
a conversation,
a concern and at times a rebellion.
Poetry understands anxieties and ghosts that haunt one’s mind,
head in the clouds,
impractical and incapable of dealing with matters
listen here,
Poetry will wield your taunts and brandish its reply like a sword,
the answer to your query is simple
we are warriors of light, of truth, of words and clear manifestation
of spirituality and hope,
our function is to give deeper meaning to the world,
observe
as we create a path between two points, such that runs beneath seas
and mountains.
So, the next time you come across a Poet in the street,
take a moment
and see him for what he truly is.
Photo credits: Loui Jover, Sonata
Poetry is a lonely endeavour, Sanaa, but we are not alone when we have poetry communities with which to share our thoughts and our work. I love the beauty of the lines:
βin times of adversity poetry is twilight on fire,
the sand more sepia,
a miracle that arrives when the heart least expects itβ.
Thank you so much, Kim π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
Sanaa, this is an especially nice piece. I like how clean and straightforward it is while expressing a wonderfully idealistic and earnest sentiment.
Thank you so much, Rommy π so glad you enjoyed it β€οΈ
> the weight of (mis) interpretation <
__ Embers of that original fire, linger to relight other Ideals; flames.
hidden
within the words
ideals of tomorrow
seen different in other minds
embers
_m
Definitely π thanks for stopping by, Magyar β€οΈ
Agree with Rommy- idealistic indeed. Truth is poetry is still in limited circulation and keeping it honest is all the poet can hope for. It’s wider role in these times remains hopeful but largely untested.
Thank you so much, Rajani π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
Ah, I love the somber romanticism of this verse and its flourishing idea as to who a poet is and how to approach poetry in our times. It’s interesting how it resembles Ferlinghetti in its manner of an idealistic journey/responsibility while also remarking on it being a lonely endeavour after all. This voice of individuality and expression is something I really adore in your words.
This is my favourite bit: “Poetry understands anxieties and ghosts that haunt oneβs mind,/head in the clouds,/impractical and incapable of dealing with matters”.
Awwww gosh! β€οΈ Thank you so much, Anmol π so glad you enjoyed it! β€οΈ
(and thank you for the lovely prompt) πΉ
This is a most beautiful poem, as art and as battle-cry.
Thank you so much, Kerry π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
Your words brought tears to my eyes Sanaa. So many don’t understand. It’s wonderful to be among a group of people who do.
Absolutely! β€οΈ Thank you so much, Linda π so good to see you! β€οΈ
This was beautiful girl!!! and so spot on in its conviction of the art that so many see as frivolity and a waste of time. Thank you many times over, this was fantastic!!!
Thank you so much, Corey π so glad you enjoyed it β€οΈ
WOW! You knocked this one out of the park. Fantastic write, Sanaa!
Awww gosh! β€οΈ Thank you so much, Sherry π so glad you enjoyed it! β€οΈ
Poetry and poets are just like this, but alas the world has become blind to poetry.
Definitely π thanks for stopping by, Bjorn β€οΈ
A pretty poem about poetry. Not all poems rain blossoms. Sometimes they rain shit.
Thank you so much, Toni π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
I love your description of poets and poetry, so elegant and yet feisty too π
Thank you so much, Ellecee π so glad you enjoyed it β€οΈ
I love your opening. We can recognize poets on the streets by the keen attention they pay to the smallest detail. The daydreamers amoungst us. Too bad more people don’t read poetry. It would be a better world.
Thank you so much, Yvonne π so good to see you β€οΈ
Lots of thought put into your list, Sanaa. Makes a person who writes feel good. My main poetry guide says things are better when people read what you write. Also, Kim above is right (I think) in that we need a community. We do have that of sorts with groups like those hanging out in the Imaginary Garden. Most major cities too have poetry groups, we Have a lot in Houston but I don’t go. My wife calls it a part of blogging and she is a bit jealous of all the time I spend with those “blogs”. I do have other things to do, so do you. They might involve groups where none write poetry.
..
Thank you so much, Jim π so glad you enjoyed it β€οΈ
This is such a beautiful definition of poetry/poet. I am blessed to be part of a community of poets who inspire, teach, push me to write the noise and beauty out of my head. Love this
Awww gosh! β€οΈ Thank you so much, Susie π so glad you liked it! β€οΈ
Oh yes please. I’ll wear this!
β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
I adore this poem! What a perfect defense to the value of poetry and poets. We and it ought need no defense, and yet the world discounts poetry so, at it’s peril I fear.
My favorite part (which I hesitate to state as a favorite lest the rest be considered unworthy, which it most certainly is not) is this:
Poetry will wield your taunts and brandish its reply like a sword,
the answer to your query is simple
we are warriors of light, of truth, of words and clear manifestation
of spirituality and hope,
our function is to give deeper meaning to the world
Thank you so much, Linda π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
Damn, lady, you decapitated malaise with this one. It is a Poet’s Manifesto, for sure. I love the portrayal of poets as /Warriors of Light/. That ranks right up there with Kerouac’s /outlaw of the sensorium/. You make us all polish our pride in fellowship buttons.
Awwww gosh! β€οΈ Thank you so much, Glenn π so glad you enjoyed it! β€οΈ
Nice line: “in times of adversity poetry is twilight on fire,”
Thank you so much, Frank π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
Beautiful, eloquent poem, Sanaa.
“What use is poetry”? A question I ask myself every day…thanks for the answer…JIM
Thank you so much, Jim π so glad you enjoyed it β€οΈ
Well, we try our best π
Definitely π thanks for stopping by, Jane β€οΈ
Sanaa, you are my hero of light for the day <3
β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
P.S. I love the comments it brought as well. When others read our poems, the circuit is completed. Loops of light, truth, and the rest. Again thank you for creating this poem.
Thank you so much, Jade Li π so glad you enjoyed it β€οΈ
Well done, so beautiful and true. My favorite lines:
we are warriors of light, of truth, of words and clear manifestation of spirituality and hope,
our function is to give deeper meaning to the world,
Thank you so much, Dr. Crystal π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
I like that you say it is something that comes from the heart:
“in times of adversity poetry is twilight on fire,
the sand more sepia,
a miracle that arrives when the heart least expects it,”
But then you also write of how poetry can be a sword of truth.
It’s something done by a person alone (most often), but something that can be shared.
Thank you so much, Merril π so glad the poem resonated with you β€οΈ
Poetry speaks in different voices to each of us. I enjoyed your interpretation.
Thank you so much, Beverly π so glad you enjoyed it β€οΈ
The poet as warrior. I like that.
Thank you so much, Kerfe π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
A wonderful definition of the worth of poetry.. and poets.
Thank you so much, Judy π so good to see you β€οΈ
I think poets understand and see the world through different eyes. I don’t always think the masses understand our thoughts and poems, but we venture on warriors of words.
we are warriors of light, of truth, of words and clear manifestation
of spirituality and hope,
Definitely π thanks for stopping by, Truedessa β€οΈ
Beautiful! I have heard it said that poets take what others have not thought of and makes them want to experience it… I liked these lines:
we are warriors of light, of truth, of words and clear manifestation
of spirituality and hope,
our function is to give deeper meaning to the world,
Thank you so much, Dwight π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
THIS MOVED ME TO TEARS, LIKE DARN. DARN IT. THIS THIS THIS!!!!
in times of adversity poetry is twilight on fire,
the sand more sepia,
a miracle that arrives when the heart least expects it,
its words are kindness,
a conversation,
a concern and at times a rebellion.
Poetry understands anxieties and ghosts that haunt oneβs mind,
head in the clouds,
impractical and incapable of dealing with matters
Aww gosh! β€οΈ Thank you so much, Rosemarie π so glad you enjoyed it! β€οΈ
OH my, Sanaa! You have so poetically described poetry for what is truly is…..the truth, sometimes too awkward, painful or impossible to express any other way. This poem is like a gift to all of us who struggle to make others understand….that blank stare as they do not compute the words we so carefully weave. Thank you for this!
Awww gosh! β€οΈ Thank you so much, Mish π so glad you enjoyed it! β€οΈ
This is lovely.
Thank you so much, Heidi π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
It felt like the poem was trying to have a conversation, an honest one, with my heart.
Thank you so much, Oloriel π so glad the poem resonated with you β€οΈ