Poets are passionate to pierce the superficial.

They don't 'try' to be like this: they are driven.

 

Poets know experience is universal.

From their hearts, their souls even

comes an instinctive need to share insight

with anyone who will follow their thoughts

on the magic spin of their chosen words.

There is probably no greater egoism anywhere

(except – maybe - in mathematicians.)

 

Shyly or boldly

with painstaking construct or slapdash confidence

poets harness words, phrases, lines, imagery

with a craftsmanship proven to hook

and hold

readers and listeners.

 

Their ideas demand outlet.

They can but try.

They cannot not try -

to make the invisible see-able

the intangible touchable

the soundless heard

the ineffable spoken.

 

Poets know their skills are lame

but still

they must make concrete

a poem -

with their name underneath.

 

Of course, they are egoists.

Of course, they are -

Bold and brave and beautiful!

It takes guts to write poetry.

 

 

 

Cynthia Buell Thomas