Ode to Writers Cafe Poets

Homage to you all

To all the poets of the Writers Café

I hereby pay homage to your enlightening array

of verses and lyrics which delight and dismay

using words I never knew-much less ever say!

 

You whirl and twirl your prose in stylish assertions

like a merry-go-round, with no discernable exertion!

I find myself lost and complete in my immersion,

I’m a poet at heart! Who knew?  But I’m certain

 

that had I not read such moving prose

my mind would yet see poems as foes,

written in language though sweet as a rose

would remain closed to me. Now, in silent repose

 

I have uncovered an extraordinary world

of battles with soldiers, mighty spears hurled

and scuffles with conscience, depression-words slurred

by battles with alcohol-drugs, bodies curled

 

in tight fetal positions and sometimes much shaking

your longing for love, acceptance, need taking

by someone past known, or one of your making,

the words are heartfelt, not one of you faking

 

your desires.  And sometimes your merry wit

brings spontaneous smiles while I sit

reading and learning, my lamps long lit

far in the night, in my own writing pit

 

created by me for just this endeavor

to learn, to absorb-by all means whatever

I can assemble, no matter the weather

outside, while in here, soul becomes light-like a feather!

 

You’ve welcomed my elementary works,

praising and encouraging-it always perks

my ego, my pride-you literary Young Turks

pulling from me rhymes with insistent jerks

that I try!  That I exercise my ‘till now unknown skill

of making use of language and bend to my will

words whirling and twirling in the same spinning reel

that you, dear poets, labor to instill

 

in me the same love of articulate expression

that comes to you naturally, free of oppression

from form, format and most certainly repression

that hinders one from total possession

 

of powerful wording to say what you mean,

to mean what you say, padded or lean,

stanzas with heart, pictures now seen

of what’s in your mind-so sharp!  So keen!

 

Now I humbly submit, this prose-so tame

compared to you poets, and it might sound lame,

but this time, dear fellows, it’s not the same,

for this modest offering-is in Miz Carol’s name!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

If you find issues, remember you inspired it!

Reviews

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Poetry (the term derives from a variant of the Greek term, poiesis, "making") is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language—such as phonaesthetics, sound symbolism and metre—to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, the prosaic ostensible meaning. Thus according to Wikipedia: but I like your interpretation better – kudos my friend! As Captain Kirk would say if he were a poet; Poetry, the final frontier of imagination, it’s mission; to boldly pen where no scribe has been before ………. make it so Carol … bless …. :-)

[Carol Cashes]

Star Trek reference? Daaaannng! While I've been primarily Team Picquard, I'll take the Kirk reference: to boldy go where my pen has never been before...Thank you.

[Ken Simm.]

Epic wit personified. With emphasis on the first word.

[Carol Cashes]

Epic? Oohhh..,gonna take a minute to get my head in the door...
Thank you, Ken Simm.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

That's a lovely homage to all the poets around here. I remember my early days here when I was more or less like you, timid and unsure whether the cafe would accept me as a self acclaimed writer but it did and miraculously so :)

What comes from the heart is never lame, Carol, so neither is this piece. Nice to read positive light hearted stuff so thank you for that :))

[Carol Cashes]

Thanks, YumnaKay. I have learned that even if it's not very good, I'll get some respect for posting, then the kind "beat down" that some works deserve. Either way, it's encouraging when your work is read.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Aye, it is. :)
You're welcome, Carol (:

[Norman 223]

Rhythmic and comprehensive in covering all aspects of this website. Whatever your style, you will always find someone to appreciate it.
I'm sure that everyone will see a positive reflection of themselves in your all-encompassing poem. Thanks Miz Carol.

[Carol Cashes]

Thank you, Norman223. This was very much a labor of love.

[Samuel Dickens]

There's nothing like a heaping helping of inspiration, and your cup surely runeth over. Being not much of a poet myself, but sometimes daring to try, I certainly have an appreciation for those who're really good at it. I could name a few names, but there are several on this site that have the mighty gift. For my part, I'll just say, "You're fabulous, Carol, no matter what you write."

[Carol Cashes]

"Fabulous"? Why thank you, dah-link! You are one of the best writers here and I've been inspired by so many of your pieces. Some of you have "mighty gifts" indeed.

[Gee]

You clever cookie. Jealousssssssss....
It's good to read plain speaking, uncomplicated, and written by a giving poet.
Thank you CC, you are a breath of fresh air....

[Carol Cashes]

Thank you, Gee. I had to really "work" it, but it was actually fun! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Very good
Love this
Thanks

[Carol Cashes]

You're welcome. You're one of the poets it's for.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Me a poet
Lol
I’m so amateur just a dittier lol but thanks

[mattavelli]

Hi, Carol! :)
That's a lot of rhyming. The poets here inspire me too. Which sort of poetry do you like?

[Carol Cashes]

The kind I don't need a dictionary for!

[mattavelli]

Me too. I prefer to write and read poetry that suites my limited vocabulary. Haha

[Carol Cashes]

I used to think I had a pretty good vocabulary, I excel at business communication, and have written stories for quite some time, but day-um! Some of these poets are seriously smart...put my ego in check, for sure.

[mattavelli]

I like to use my everyday language when I write. It feels dishonest to do otherwise. Something I don't like is when poets use archaic language like thee and thou. I think they are role playing. Haha
All this writing, like all art forms, is communication. The voice of the writing should be identifiable to the reader. If not, humbug and oy vey. You feel me homegirl? Haha
While the words I choose are common to my experience, what makes writing poetry special to me is playing with language, building phrases that are unique and fit patterns of thought, rhyme, and meter. Ive made some new words up as well, "outo" and "sugarchain" come to mind. Ive had a lot of fun and a lot of inspiration from members of this site.
Have you tried writing haiku?

[Carol Cashes]

This was, by far, the hardest piece I've written...ever!