Tag Archives: rhyme

The Oracle Solves A Creative’s Dilemic Conundrum: Revolutionary IMprov Free Verse Poem

Through life’s woods
I wandered.
Down a path
not-often trodden,
I stumbled,
soul-searching,
burdened,
sorrowing,
because of rejection,
because of loneliness.

In a still glen,
facing my feelings,
fearing,
confused,
I found her,
an oracle
in blue.

I asked honestly
for others perceptions
of me.

Pause.
Had I offended?
The oracle spoke:
“You view the world differently.
Creatives see things
creatively.
And thus, you are,
typically,
misunderstood.”

“What you as a creative see,
you view with variety
and clarity.”

“Some use a paintbrush,
some a pencil or pen
some use a sculptor’s tool,
some a potter’s wheel,
some a keyboard or strings.
Some see the world
through a wide angle
or a macro
or a telephoto lens.”

“But what you see,
you can capture
and share
with the world
who is blind,
or at least myopic
or farsighted
or mono-colored.”

“Because you do that,
we in the world who have ears,
may hear;
and having eyes,
may see.
And having minds,
may understand.
And having souls,
may feel
and grasp
and learn
and know.”

“That’s why creatives,
though you’re misunderstood,
though you’re criticized,
though you’re shunned,
by some,
must always exist.
That’s why
you must always persevere.”

“Because without you,
the world would miss
what we otherwise
might see
or hear
or feel
or experience
and understand.”

As she spoke
those words,
the truth,
I reeled
under the torrent
and weight
of responsibility.

At the same time,
I felt my burden lifted.
I felt my rejection taken.
I felt,
again,
fire in my veins
and joy
in my heart.

Though I’m often alone
on that solitary path,
I’m not lonely.

I now know
and accept
that it is okay
to see
and write
what others might not.
Even if I’m rejected,
by some,
others will see.

I’ll share,
not in a condescending way,
not in reprimand,
not in a “you must see that
this this way,
or you’re wrong”.

Not asking them to
“be better”,
because they are
as they are,
just
as I am
as I am.

Instead, I’ll give
my words,
my thoughts,
my feelings
in a kind,
loving,
sharing way.

I’ll say:
“Look at this thing
I see.
Look what I found!
Come share it with me.”

Just like she,
visionary oracle,
in her wisdom,
helped me see
the opportunity
and responsibility
I bear
as I live,
and share,
my life honestly,
with integrity,
creatively.

Here We Go Again — Another Misguided Love Poem Object: Revolutionary Iambic Poem Lament

I had heard
his rhyming words
before,
espousing how glor-
ious he thought his love.
How she was sent from above.
How she was his true lover.
How he could not imagine another.

And now,
somehow,
he takes up his pen
and again
speaks of his love, sweet.
How she is so neat.

And though this one
is maybe not as fun,
she is not the bummer
as was his love of last summer.

So what am I to believe?
He scarcely took time to grieve
his previous girl
whom (he proclaimed to the world)
was sent to him.
Did she become some whim?

The even deeper question
to this public indigestion
is: Where comes the need to publicly proclaim
about a latest passionate love and flame?

I don’t even want to look
at such posts on Facebook,
because I know I’ll read there
about some new love so true and rare.

Just like we all did last year
about someone who was thought equally dear.
Why does the poet yet again
(as he did back so earnestly then)
feel the need to shout
publicly out
someone he’s now crazy about?

(And it’s not just him.
Many others, seemingly on a whim,
positively state
they’ve found their true mate.)

(And we knowingly smile
and wait awhile
until the new romance starts to fade
like morning dew in a sun-drenched glade).

Why don’t such lovers, instead,
(knowing how emotions so oft are mislead)
watch, wait and see
if the new “we”
(this romantic she plus he)
can make that commitment
which is truly heaven-sent
for eternity?

We can, (and should) I suppose,
publicly disclose
when we are fond of one,
how we, together, have fun.

But to loudly and publicly proclaim
“She’s the ONE!” seems a bit inane.
If this is indeed a love so rare
why not be quiet and keep it hidden there?

At least until it grows and blossoms forth.
At least until love has truly run its course
and we’re ready to shout “S/he and me
will now be us for eternity?”

I, for one, have my doubts
that such proclaimed “true love” will last out,
(just based on experience;
knowing how other ones went.)

Of course, when we hear such a new boast,
we could, I guess, prepare a generic post (or toast):
“OH! You both make such a cute pair!
You and [insert the new love’s name here____].”

That is not at all to say
that the poet should be silent. No way!
We may, in messages between us
expound our full love beyond what ever was.

Such private notes of sweetest passion
put us in Browning’s and Tennyson’s fashion.
Some lovers may in the future find
hope in our quiet proclaimed love divine.

But to place such words out for all to see
Feels like love (and such thoughts) come cheaply.
That it doesn’t really matter who:
We just need someone to publicly woo.

Call me a jaded cynic.
Perhaps it’s true.
But I’ll not mimic
exposing my love to view.

At least ’til I know, and am sure
She’s the one who I’ve searched for.
Then, it would seem quite right
To write a sonnet for our wedding invite.

My Car’s Faster Than Yours: Revolutionary IMprov Sonnet

Hands in the air topless dancing on a wide-open freeway -I-15 in UtahSpeed is a function
of an open road.
You’re crawling at the junction
of I’s 5 and 90: Overload!

Your powerful Maserati
is stuck in traffic jams.
His cool Ferrari
moves like overcooked Spam.

While my rag-topped Sebring,
tunes up, top down,
heralds the sunshine of Spring
at 80 mph through town.

And fellow freeway observers cheer at my hands:
dancin’ up in the air, like American Band Stand!

When I Gaze At Fire: Romantic Blogging Poem

When I gaze at her/
and dream,/
do I become/
as every other one/
who has ever looked/
in rapt admiration,/
mouth agape,/
trying to quell/
unexpected fire?/

Or am I one/
who can look to the fire,/
feel the heat,/
imagine the flame,/
and, still,/
not get burned?