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JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2011-10-02 07:17 AM

I observe the cluttered table
of the hallowed ones
Poe, Wilde, Plath, Frost, Dante

frozen in time am I
watching the poetical tableau
before me

I come here nightly 'ere the cock crows
searching for an empty chair
where I might sit

break bread
drink hearty wine
speak of, and fight over, words

each night different poets
sit around the protected table
protected of the likes of me

how dare they!
shut me out as though
am I dung beneath their slippered feet?

do not these immortals
have their own crosses to bear
scandals to sweep 'neath the rug?

yea, they do
some putting my theatrics
to shame

poets, one and all
by the very nature of the word
poet is different

we stare into our mirrors
and behold a person
no one else can see

tragedy, pain, burdensome worry
are part and parcel
o'er our parched, dreary faces

some write odes of love
the dreariest, loneliest of them all
tears could fill a river

I have enough sorry and pain
cried my river
where, oh where, is my chair at the table?

ah, something just came to me
the reason they shun me
'tis not how I've suffered and cried

it goes much deeper than that
it chills me to realize
they are judged by their quality work

my portfolio is suspect
not up to par
I accept that and try harder

~~ Those who are silent are the first to be shot. ~~

[This message has been edited by JerryPat2 (10-02-2011 10:38 AM).]

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius

since 2009-10-10

Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

1 posted 2011-10-02 08:41 AM

Fear not dear poet
your seat is still there
but your heart still ticks
once it kicks
fame will know it
and the table they will share

Nicole
Senior Member

since 1999-06-23

Posts 1835
Florida

2 posted 2011-10-02 09:08 AM

Nuh-uh...no way sir. A very, VERY large part of what make a Poet a classic or popular (whatever word you'd like right there) is the audience that reads them. Now - I'm not saying write for everyone but yourself... I'm saying that what's written is written, it's no less than anyone else. Because YOU wrote it.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

3 posted 2011-10-02 10:01 AM

I somehow doubt your kind words, Lori, but I thank you very much for saying them.

Nicole, you have a valid point also, and thank you.

~~ Those who are silent are the first to be shot. ~~

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate

since 2000-10-29

Posts 19200
Between the Lines

4 posted 2011-10-02 10:42 AM

JP2, how can you say that?

"ah, something just came to me
the reason they shun me
'tis not how I've suffered and cried

it goes much deeper than that
it chills me to realize
they are judged by their quality work

my portfolio is suspect
not up to par"

I have been part of this site for years and a few others when I first  figured out how to post on line.  Sometimes people read, and many times do not reply. Either they haven't the correct words in mind yet or  maybe they aren't even on here.

I am not sure if I am interpreting your poem correctly. but I have learned over the years that  this is not a popularity contest with numbers etc...

You never know how much your words may have touched a reader...even if they do not tell you. Over these many years some of mine have slipped by without barely a response...and I just don't worry about it.

I always know that this is a place where  I can let go of my feelings and that someone may be reading them...even if not replying, as long as Ron keeps us alive

I have not been on as much lately due to the internet problems from the east coast storms and continuous rains...and life...which sometimes interferes.

But I always read whenever I have the chance AND I read ALL...even if I don't reply to all.

M

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

5 posted 2011-10-02 10:47 AM

nakdthoughts, I thank you for your kind words and your explanations. I wasn't comparing this site and the readers, how many or how few, no, what I meant was that when I look and read the immortals I see why most of them are perceived as great poets. I was merely chastising myself to try harder, to grasp the fullness of poetry. As far as PiP is concerned, it is one of the best poetry sites I have ever been connected with, I have not problems with my responses.

~~ Those who are silent are the first to be shot. ~~

ebonygirl
Member Elite

since 2011-07-14

Posts 2000
California U.S.A

6 posted 2011-10-02 02:51 PM

You know JP2, I was also beginning to feel my poetry was not up to par, not good enough compared to others poetry, but I have come to my own understanding that I'm writing for myself, and only for myself. If someone enjoys it, nice, if not, my poem will belong to the universe. I have a voice, little as it my be. I enjoy your words JP2, your words, hear me!
ms. e

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

7 posted 2011-10-03 01:40 PM

we stare into our mirrors
and behold a person
no one else can see

And from that unique person comes the words we contribute... words that are special, words that share a piece of us and may make a difference to someone else... even if we never attain immortality or the chance to join their table. *S*

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

8 posted 2011-10-03 02:28 PM

Ms e, I think we all wander down that road off and on during our "literary" life, where we realize we write for ourselves and ourselves alone.

I loved your comment, suthern, it is, as they say, right on . . .

~~ Those who are silent are the first to be shot. ~~

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

9 posted 2011-10-03 04:56 PM

JP, you keep belittling yourself, and your poetry, and I'm gonna take a trip to Louisiana just to smack you.

Only I'm allowed to do that you know.

Seriously, friend... the true measure of poetry is how well it moves those reading it. Yours lacks nothing.

I loved the depth in this piece, even if I didn't necessarily agree with it.

Michael

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

10 posted 2011-10-03 05:06 PM

Thanks, Michael, we are, as you are aware, our own worst critic.

~~ Those who are silent are the first to be shot. ~~

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

11 posted 2011-10-04 08:27 PM

I think Suthern said it best.
That sharing is very important.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

12 posted 2011-10-04 08:37 PM

I guess you are right, JL, or rather suthern is right.

~~ Those who are silent are the first to be shot. ~~

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

13 posted 2011-10-06 01:42 PM

We have our own "Blue Table", Jerry and I think there are some excellent poets at our table.
Ida

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