“I want a hero: an uncommon want,”
Byron wrote; then struggled through seventeen
Rich, rhyming cantos to define one.
“I want better poetry. Please,”
Echoes his desire two centuries past, a want—
A desperation—that penetrates
Blood and bones,
Settles like an ache (toothache, if you
Want to be specific) in every cell,
In every molecule. Sure, there’s
More to life than poetry—more quests to be
Completed, more jousts to unseat
Unworthy pseudo-Knights,
More hope to change the essence that we bear
Hidden in coiled genes. But….
Poetry! Words used, controlled,
Tamed until innate wildness reveals
Depths beyond calm meanings.
Images explored, like Amazons
Revealing unexpected glories, or Arctics,
Everests, Gobis. And lines. Lines
And phrases and stanzas,
Each unuttered and unutterably strange
Until first written …untouched,
Until the poet’s touch, like Midas’,
Unveils pure gold that hides beyond dim brass
That penetrates the core.
“I want better poetry. Please.”
“I want a hero: an uncommon want.”
Revel in the presence of them both.
Author notes
Micol
A contest entry
- making a statement by Mystikrypton.
400 points, ended August 22, 2007, 26 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Round 1: Hit me With your Best Pre-write. by edit my world..
425 points, ended October 20, 2007, 64 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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This is a most beautiful and profound poem. I (and I think this is universal for people who love poetry) also feel this way about poetry. I think there is a book out there with the title something like Please God Make Me A Better Poet or at Least Less Fat. Good luck in the contest!
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you've certainly made a
statement... one that many can surely agree with... you echo the voice of one, but you interpret this desire intelligently and your own wants are reflected in the piece... eloquent, well worded... clear, but without compromising the integrity of the piece and the poetic elements are strong... great display of what it is that was being asked in those first requests...
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I thank you for the comment and the compliment (Renaissance bow with flourish of feathered cap!)
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I liked your use of similes in this piece. I can't imagine where you got your inspiration for this poem though...ha. This was better. Thank you. Good luck in the contest.
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Many thanks. And especially for the forum. Don't often get the chance to blow off steam safely....
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