the POET

the POET

He sits upon the lap of nature

Drawing inspiration there to write,

A sower of seeds within his heart

He pens in silence of the night.

He's a tree watered by beauty

Bearing fruit the hungry heart yearns,

A link between this and the coming world

An inextinguishable lamp that burns.

He's a white cloud on the horizon

Growing to fill the face of the sky,

Falling on the flow in the field of life

A heart that will never die.

He's a spring where the thirsty may drink

A slave to our want and our need,

His pen is his might, his soul the ink,

His work is the fruit of his seed.

Reviews

[Richard🖌]

Greetings, Roth 🍁

I extend a warm welcome to the Caƒé and a grateful thank you for the friendship request … and, I must say this is quite the excellent poem to begin reading your work.
Even though your lines are not all even in count, from the smoothness and natural meter of your syntactic diction and poetic voice, vivid imagery, creative metaphor, and spot-on rhyme, it is more than a little obvious this is not your first poetic rodeo … in fact, it's my discernment that this piece rivals some of the top onsite writers.
Along with your request to read "the POET" and explain what classical style means, I'll say that, although, the a-b-c-b, d-e-f-e, etc; rhyme-scheme is sufficient for one version of the classical Ballad format, due to the uneven line meter and syllable count, it falls short.
In saying this, it in no way detracts from this most brilliantly excellent work being a superbly rendered poem, that I have fully enjoyed in every way … title, artwork choice, neat layout, and it's amazingly beautiful when recited aloud. The originality and imagery alone in your poem are sigh-worthy, indeed!
Classical examples of poetry would be the Sestina, Ballad, Sonnet, Villanelle, Kyrielle, Pantoum, Villanelle, and Ottava Rima, to name a few … what some contemporary poets consider "structured poetic form", and a few even refer to classical poetry as "archaic" … each to their own view.
Roth, I hope this cleared it up for you.
Personally, I enjoy reading and composing in both classical and contemporary style or format.
Gosh, Roth, just look at the length of this! In my defense, I suppose there is no short way of explaining what classical poetry is.
Drop by my place for a read or two … you'll find all sorts of forms there. Your form here, by-the-way, would be "Unmetered Rhyming Quatrains".

In whatever form or name, this a gorgeous piece to be proud of … KUDOS! ⁓ Richard🖌

Wee critique: final line, give "work's" an apostrophe or make it, "work is". : )

[Roth Jordain]

Hi Richard,
I thank you sincerely for your welcome to the Cafe and for answering my question of what a classical poem is. The classical poem names you said seem fascinating -- do you know how I can learn about them? I have heard of a Sonnet before, poems by William Shakespeare and the Ballad name, but not the other kinds you mention.
You are correct, this is not my first time to write poems -- I have written for around 8 years so far. I like to try different rhyme plans, and once wrote a poem with no rhymes at all about my Israeli homeland that I might share here.
I thank you too for saying nice things about my poem and for telling me its kind of form.
I added 'is' to the last line and it sounds rhythmic now when spoken.
I will read your poems soon with thoughtful reviews -- yours is of perfect length.

With grateful bows of thanks Richard and 'a happy weekend',
Roth

[Richard🖌]

Roth,

Thank you for the happy weekend wishes, and the very same to you. : )
You are certainly welcome … the pleasure was mine, and I thank you, too, for your thoughtful friend request.
To learn the different classical forms, you would need to seek out a skilled, experienced, and willing teacher; or, a good place to begin would be to YouTube search each form … for example: go to YouTube and type "Ballad Lessons" in the search bar, or whatever form(s) you might be interested in learning.
Not that you asked, but with your obvious poetic potential, it would be a pleasure to take you on as a student. Alas, my enrollment is currently full, and I don't know of anyone else onsite who teaches, or gratis free on any site, for that matter. Still, you might ask around, or those who've reviewed you.
Or, on the page with most of my poems that are composed in the classical forms mentioned above, the instructions for writing each is included: to access my titles with the form name each is written-in included, go to my profile and click on "Writing" above my name and it will bring them up.

I hope this helps, Roth … anything else, please, don't hesitate to let me know! ⁓ Richard🖌️

[Roth Jordain]

Thank you Richard,
I will use your very helpful advice.
It would be and honor to learn from you Sir. Not to seem greedy, but is there a waiting list please?
Thank you too for the AdBlock, from all the ads I left, but I am glad I came back.

[Richard🖌]

Roth,
Please, message me at your convenience.

[Kaye]

This is one amazing write, i enjoyed this a lot

[Roth Jordain]

Hi Kaye,
Thank you for your nice compliment and enjoying my poem.

Happy joys to you,
Roth

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Roth… the Soul of a Poet lives to Sow seeds of Wisdom and sip from the Nectar
of flowers that bloom. tenderly, Pat

[Roth Jordain]

Hi Pat,
Your words are like a song that sings in the heart.

Thank you for visiting and reading my poem,
Roth

[Kelly Scheppers]

Wow, I do believe you have a voice here at the Cafe. There are so many wonderful poets to read from and to be inspired by. Welcome!

[Roth Jordain]

Hi again Kelly,
Thank you for your excited welcome! It makes me feel very honored.
So correct you are too, from every writer I have read and reviewed there is a kind of wonderment that inspires, and I am as sure when I read your writings I will feel the same way -- even more.

Your kindness is beautiful, sincerely yours,
Roth

[Relic]

You've written some nice metaphors in this and display a great skillful pen. Welcome to the site.

[Roth Jordain]

Hi Relic,
It is wonderful to receive your friendly welcome and gracious compliments to my poetic analogies and penmanship -- very generous and encouraging words.

With sincere thanks Relic, a very happy and grateful handshake to you,
Roth

[keith]

that's all good but, the poet has more facets
poetry is the recording of life of fantasy
of that 4 letter word, of hate, of anger
poetry is the political tool that brings emotions and results
it is the original manner of recordings, the ledger, the diaries of life
it is the songs you sing
yes, poetry is what you describe but all is not good in the world of man
you have composed a well written iota of a very broad subject matter

[Roth Jordain]

Hi keith,
It is great to receive your interesting and informative input about what poets really are that makes me wonder what a poem would be like if it included everything a poet is -- you make a good point, I think it might be an almost endless and very broad poem indeed.

Thank you sincerely keith for bringing so much more to a simple poem,
Roth

[keith]

the words can, might, could are but a few that help define
your offering is well written
read morethe words can, might, could are but a few that help define
your offering is well written
welcome to the cafe

[lightsong]

I see You are making your presence here at the cafe strongly :>

Remarkable piece my friend, though the theme is not something new but what is amazing about your poem here is the chosen metaphors, Nature that is always the source, a tree that is grounded, a cloud that is free and dreamy, and spring that is aboundent and fruitful. I like the way You capitalized "POET", it shows that he is the only Master and shows your wonderful poetical taste.

Best Wishes*

[Roth Jordain]

Hi again lightsong,
Two charming reviews from you puts a sunny smile in my day.
It does seem a lot of members are reading my new poems and saying some interesting and gracious things about them like you have for this one.

I sincerely enjoy your words lightsong and what their meanings represent -- thank you,
Roth

[lightsong]

Enjoy it all, and You are welcome :>

[Chris Shaw]

An admirable composition here with lots of reference to nature. Some great lines and written in classical style. You have a fan. Welcome to WC Roth.

Chris

[Roth Jordain]

Hello Chris,
Your friendly welcome is gratefully appreciated and your comments in review of this poem to all poets -- ladies and gents -- are lovely and encouraging.
May I please know what 'classical style' means? You are the second to mention it.
I am thrilled Chris you are a fan.

Thank you sincerely for reading my poem and for your nice welcome,
Roth

[Chris Shaw]

Ah Roth, if you are seeking a scholarly definition of a classical style, you will need input from an academic such as Richard Jenkins, whom I am sure you will meet soon if not already. I wouldn't dare elevate myself to that standard :)) Pleased to see a new face here. Hope you will be happy on this wonderful site.

C.

[Roth Jordain]

Thank you Chris for your response and the information on Richard Jenkins, may be I will meet him soon and ask about 'classical style'.

Your friendliness is welcoming and inspiring, I think I shall be happy here,
Roth

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think sometimes we wish our heart would die. Might make the words we write less painful.
I really appreciate how this poem is built upon metaphor....and done so well.

that lamp must keep burning.
j.

[Roth Jordain]

Hi Jacob,
Yes it is true there are those times writing of sorrows and anger tug a poet's heart in ways we would rather not see or know about, yet it sings within and flows from out our souls with no choice.
I too appreciate metaphor -- I think it is one of a poet's influential tools to keep that lamp burning.

Thank you Jacob most deeply,
Roth