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Monday, September 2, 2013

Open Link Monday at the Imaginary Garden

wikimedia
commons
a. verhoesen
I don't know about the rest of the members and contributors at the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, but I just couldn't resist the 2008 cartoon Kerry used on the Real Toads site today. Of course the copyright is held by the artist, Doug Savage, and we are merely borrowing it via poetic license here in the garden. (Although it is rather nice having chickens in the garden for a change.)


a poet lives
in his own world
surrounded by
spouses, ex-spouses,
brothers, sisters, cousins,
parents, grandparents, children,
grandchildren, cats and dogs,
nephews and nieces,
none of whom care
about poetry
at all,
although all
(except, perhaps, the cats)
do care about the poet.

a lonely existence
is the life of a poet
surrounded by
housework
garden work
automobile maintenance
social obligation
babysitting chores
shopping for food,
clothing, footwear,
and gifts to take
to social obligations.

the poet seeks
solitude and
a helpful muse,
a quiet spot
with quill and scroll
paper and pen
chalk and board
keyboard and screen
or tunnel wall and paint,
on which his words
will achieve
greatness
fame
posterity
and/or infamy
but especially readers.

September 2, 2013, by Kay Davies, formerly of it ain't art but it's mine dot com*

*imaginary website, see above re poetic license


14 comments:

jabblog said...

'but especially readers' . . . oh, yes! I'll always read your posts, Kay - I learn so much from them. So many voices calling in the ether - who will catch them and listen?

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
Ah yes, the heart of the matter! Well said...errrr written... YAM xx

Joyful said...

I agree. Poets are in a world of their own. I've written some poetry myself but can't consider myself a poet. I think they have a lot of courage to boldly declare they are poets ;-)

Penelope Postcards said...

As you words so cleverly said, there is never the right time or place for a poem … it just ferments and grows inside your head until it pops out somewhere. :)

Susie Clevenger said...

"but especially readers" You certainly have them! Love the poem!!

Sherry Blue Sky said...

I love this poem so much! Poets are like prophets - ignored in their own countries.....my family doesnt give a hoot about my writing. Which is why I love the poetry 'sphere so much!!!! You all keep me writing! Blessings! I love this, Kay. Made me smile!

Dimple said...

Hi Kay!
I chuckled at the borrowed cartoon, and then at the recognition of the poet being interrupted continually by life...
Blessings!

Fireblossom said...

...and a ragamuffin girl like me might even find my "adopted mom". :-)

Mr Puddy said...

Me & mom love the cartoon ...tee...heh
Kay, thank you so much to come for my birthday. You are always be a very best friend to me.
Love you & Lindy
xox

Maude Lynn said...

I love this, Kay!

Susan said...

This hits home so thoroughly that I had to laugh. I wouldn't even think of doing the "love me, read my poetry" manipulation with my loved ones. But I live a ways away and am grateful for the readers online! You know I am a big fan of in-poem lists and catalogues (as opposed to word lists for making poems), so I love the inventories in each stanza.

Kay said...

I loved the cartoon too and I always love your poetry, Kay.

Daryl said...

brava! to both you and the chickens ;)

Kerry O'Connor said...

Hi Kay, I love that you took the cartoon and explored the difficulties of being a part-time poet. There is much truth in your words.

I removed the Kay and Lindy link on RT - I hope I did the right thing...