Poetry To Me

Why do I like to write poetry so much?

Because I think in fragments

and poetry allows me

to write that way.

Poetry is continuous thought,

one continuous breath

one continuous life

and sometimes

“- , ; : )’.?” Punctuation gets in the way

Poetry flows

like a river

taking turns and

bending bends

but always continuing on

to flow.

Poetry is like a shattered mirror

fragmented and

confusing at times

because of the ability to be

ambiguous;

but all the same time

when a reader reads

the words can be reflected back onto him

showing him his faults and failures

and forming words of affirmation and affection

that dialog or epistles cannot.

Poetry can be shallow as

a bird bath in a drought

or as deep as

a mother’s love

But to the poet

To the poet

everything has meaning

every jot and tittle

word choice

line breaks

Chosen with careful thought

to express an emotion

or moment

so striking it had to be caught.

Poetry is not just about love

(yes this I once did think)

but expressing every emotion

emojis can

and cannot

(hard to believe, I know)

Poetry can be written about

gum wrappers and school hallways

(’tis I who ascribed the words)

or can be penned about

the love of God.

So I have to ask

what is poetry

to you?