Poetry thrives in the ache behind my eyes
after a day of sweeping,
weeping at the rhythm of each new morsel
on the playlist.
Poetry bathes in the brassy bubbles of a concert hall,
eating alto voices, healthy and raw;
Sporadic, unexplained static–
Poetry is trusting a feeling and betting it all.
My poetry pays rent in a pop-up tent
under a busy overpass,
growing like marram grass by a brackish sea.
It dwells in the mosaic empty spaces left behind
by winter’s nudist trees.
Poetry thrives in the battle cries;
a canvas for people repressed.
After a famous shower,
poetry is horny and undressed.
Poetry panhandles on street corners;
breaks rigid rules;
defies every dictatorial threat.
It bikes further than failure
and flicks its finger without regret.
My poetry always drinks another cup–
Poetry likes it dirty and rough.
Poetry sticks, and pricks, and lasts.
It sets sail without destination or map;
on the ship of life, poetry is the mast.
© khartless 2021, All Rights Reserved
Share with me what poetry means to you. Have you written a poem about poetry? I’d love to read it, please link it below.
Yard Sale of Thoughts 
Those are both fantastic, K. Wonderful writing, excellent imagery, and wonderful feelings in both of these awesome poems. I did write one about poetry a month or so ago, it is on Twitter. 🙂
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Thank you kindly, Jeff. Did you blog your meta poem? I’d love to read it.
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You’re most welcome, K. Always. No, I never did blog it. I could share it here? Have a wonderful day.
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Yes, please that would be wonderful.
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Will do, soon.
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poetry lives in the years,
tears, and broken
hearts endured,
traveling in-between
the light, and
dark, reality is stark…
displaying tendencies
beliefs, and
lessons dreamed
as we put pen to paper
relating the love
gleaned…
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I love the transitory nature you portray. Poetry as vehicle, vessel, and reflective shiny shield. Thank you for sharing, Jeff. You should definitely post this sometime. Cheers.
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Awesome! I love thecrhythm and the images are so punchy and absolute. Poetry is given such breadth and daring. Love it.
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Thank you, friend. I love risky poetry, and yours always pushes the limits in such a lovely and unexpected way. Cheers to more brave verse.
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“On the ship of life, poetry is the mast.”🌬⛵️
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😀 indeed.
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There’s certainly a lot of people on here write poetryFor me, the quality varies from excellent to impenetrable.
It’s not just a case of “some people are better writers than others”, because people can come from totally opposite directions.
That says to me that “poetry” means different things to different people. But perhaps the motivation for writing it is the same?
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Interesting. The motivation for me is hardly ever the same, but I like the idea of a communal desire to use words wildly and bravely to create new ways of viewing the universe.
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Yes I think that’s the common thread, and from that point each person’s poems can diverge into anything they like.
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I use the word wonderful a lot when I am commenting on your posts, and no apology for using it again here. Wonderful!
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Thank you, kind Hobbo. My muse likes to take a bit of a break this time of year, so I’ll be pulling out some old favorites (this one included) to fill in during her absence. Hear she’s hibernating happily, though.
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Your muse has worked very hard this year and deserves her well-earned festive break. 😂
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Thank you. It’s hard to remind her it’s time to kick back. Maybe a few good paperbacks will do the trick.
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Good idea 👍
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wonderfully febrile: you were on fire when you wrote this; so much to love: ‘winter’s nudist trees’ for starters 🙂 btw I’m a great Billy Collins fan 🙂
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Thank you, John, and you are right. I wrote this verse to prove the higher purpose of poetry. I’d like to feel that fire again. Will just need to find someone to stand up to me, I guess. Billy Collins humor and wisdom appeals to me; like someone else I known actually. 😀
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you’re too kind 🙂
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My response.
Poetry can throbs like a stiff pulse rising at 5 am.
It lingers while your wandering mind searches for stimulation.
Read it till the release allows the blood to flow from the veins.
Poetry closes with a numbness that softly settles you back into slumber.
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ooh, your poetry excites, warms, and pleases. I hope you write more of it.
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Good poetry! I followed a masterclass with Billy Collins by the way.
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Thanks, I have that one pinned to view. Did you enjoy it?
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Not really. I did pick up a few things from it. Not much tho. He’s got an air about him I find rather annoying. He is not particularly talented I would say, I think he follows the “rules”. I like to write free or light verse. No rules for me 😁
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Not the best review. I may still sit in-doing dishes and what not. I’m not good with rules, but my muse does enjoy the challenge of a bit of structure, even if it’s ultimately cast aside. Thanks for your review. Cheers to you!
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Indeed, poetry survives in you and thrives through you! This was wonderful!🙏🏻
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Thank you. This is so kind. Cheers to you.
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