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Open Poetry #18
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I Shall Never Be a Poet...
| Open Poetry #18 |
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I Shall Never Be a Poet... |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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I shall never be a poet. I read you this morning, Sylvia. I laid you before me and saw how one line “and I said I do, I do” could rock my world send chills through my body and I knew in that moment I shall never be a poet. my mayonnaised melodies do not provide that pungent taste which causes eyes to water in mid-bite morsels to stick in the throat choking the reader in ways that only a true poet can do. no Jewish blood Boils with holocaustic outrage To spill out on my page no black voice rises in protest to racial injustices I do not rage against the fading of the light nor do I know how the caged bird feels. My skin does not wish for the feel of the blade Nor do manic impulses invade my sleep In Lilliputian stealth. The madness that creates greatness The cause that creates rebellious pens To lash out in unsheathed fury Against injustices Are absent in me. I shall never be a poet. Not like you, Sylvia Nor you, Langston Not you, Maya I shall storytell entertain be a wooded glen where children swing on my branches adults spread out blankets to picnic surrounded by mountains staring down with disdain |
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| © Copyright 2002 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
  (smiles) BRAVO!!! Ooohhhhh...but you are a poet, and your wonderful words always grace all our hearts with delight and joy and wisdom! (big hugggsssssss) This s sucha wonderful sentimental expression, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Michael, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton |
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RosePetal
since 2001-08-26
Posts 2985South Florida |
but you are a POET! ok, how about Writer? Writer sounds more like it! You write the best stories into poetic form. I'd love to possess half of the the talent that you have! You are a fine writer my dear friend! |
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sodpossom Senior Member
since 2001-06-15
Posts 723N.C |
A writer,a poet,whatever you are you did a mighty fine job on this one! |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
You ARE the Balladeer. 'Nuff said. Each of us has a niche to fill...but I know what you mean... I know what you mean very well... |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
You make people happy......enough said  Kathleen--(Kay) |
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Startime Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918Canada |
*silly, silly man* your poetry is loved by so many how could you ever doubt that our sweet Balladeer isn't a poet....you are a Master Balladeer....*big big big hugs** and we don't want you any other way than the man we all love so dearly. Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Oh Balladeer! But you are a POET! And a marvelous storyteller...the best! And, you have written things that have brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye... but, more often than naught have made me sigh!  This is very well said Michael. ~Hugs, Nancy~ ~Time has cast a spell on you, |
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strbbux Member Elite
since 2001-12-19
Posts 3859 |
Balladeer, My dear...I try to not ever miss any of your poems. They flow, I wish I could do what you do with words. Your work in my estimation is awesome. enough said, get busy and write another poem...LOL. floria Floria |
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Tracey Member Elite
since 2001-08-29
Posts 2808where insanity meets breeding |
If you’re not a poet, then I’m not female….and trust me on this one…I’m decidedly female!!!  No, maybe you don’t write the way they do, but you write…oh boy do you write!!! You have given me many a sigh, many a tear, and many a chuckle. And that, Deer, is what a poet does!!If she who dies with the most toys wins, then can I have some toy boys please? [This message has been edited by Tracey (01-24-2002 09:31 PM).] |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Balladeer-- You are a melted chocolate Sunday afternoon, a back yard swing with view of moon, within your words such rhythm flows and this I know, I know, I know You make me smile with sparkling wit you make me cry and want to sit next to you while you recite a poem again on the porch of life In other words, I think you're swell! |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
YOU are not only Poet...... you are my most treasured Poet ...... and this work is exceptional..... |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Ah, you wonderful people! Thank you for your support. My poem is not a complaint nor a regret. As Karilea said, everyone has their niche and I am a story teller and very happy to be one. There are times, like this one, when I read a great poet's work, study what they say and how they say it and I say to myself, "This is greatness". The line quoted in my poem, from Sylvia Plath's "daddy" caused me to sit and think for over half an hour....seven words that a phychologist could write an entire book about. THAT, in my book, is greatness...brilliance. Could I duplicate it? No. Does that bother me? No. I do not envy their abilities, I simply acknowledge and applaud them. If someone asks me if I'm a poet, I say yes. If Ms. Plath ot Langston Hughes were to ask me, I would say,"I'm a story teller in poetic form". THEY are the poets in my eyes and I'm happy that we both are what we are  |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Ah Michael ... you know, that I know, that you know, that I know .... Best wishes and hugs for the wonderful poet that you truly are my friend ... sincerely, /Kit |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
OK fine...your not a poet.... and you dont like Spam... and youre giving up golf... and I got some swamp land in Florida I wanna show ya. Yeah....right................. Oh yeah...and youre not cool either  *wink* later-not-a-poet-gator (hehe) signed, Im not really JM rofl I'm like a broken record that you can play ... |
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Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
Hey Michael....Whadda ya mean...you're not a poet....I think your among the best! Your verses RULE!  copyright2002 Lyra Nesius |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
’Deer dearest heart YOU are a storyteller divine and a writer of superb ballads. But you know YOUR writing touches far more people than does the poets you write of. I have almost no talent you know, I’m not a writer of anything very much, but I’m content. I don’t envy others their talent to really write, because we each do our bit, the candle gives its gift of light, as does the sun, I give my little piece. And I know you don’t envy others either, but let me tell you a little known fact that I worked out the other day. Each poem is read an average of 10 times to one reply, think about it 10 times your work has been read before one member replied. This is because obviously although we forget it, these forums are open to others besides members to read. But only members can reply. Take a look at your replies, on average you garner 25 in the first day, that’s approximately 250 people who’ve read your work. Do you think that those 250 have gone away unmoved? They’ve laughed they’ve cried, they’ve travelled with you. Are you a writer Oh yes, are you a writer of superb metre, exquisite timing and excellent vocabulary ohhhhhh YES you are indeed. So don’t tell me YOU’RE not a poet because YOU are a master poet I however am another kettle of fish and am entitled to write this Perhaps if I were a real poet I could write words so fine They would make you pause and read this rhyme You might gasp at the way I could make the words dance Or you might if I could write, but I don’t stand a chance My words don’t speak of rose petals scattered in love Or of angels who sing in flight as they soar above I haven’t got the skill to write these words of pure delight I’m not able to summon the poet who writes with light Maybe if I were a writer I could turn a phrase into a line And you might say this writer is a poet who’s divine You would say this form and the line are so good If I were a writer that is but I don’t write as I should My lines don’t flow in streams of lighted prose I can’t write a sonnet or inscribe a prayer to a rose I’m unable to find the way to write a simple phrase I can’t write like the one who’ll delight and amaze Oh and by the way YOUR poem is utterly utterly wonderful as always YOUR writing shines with quality   Love and warm stuff As always Mushy To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace St John ch2 v1 |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
You not a poet dear Deer thought you was born with a pen in your hand, ohhhh you are a writer than....ic.... but whateva you are, promise to stay always passions Balladeer you know we just love that poetic guy....at least I do. Charisma |
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
I would rather read your poems, than any of the ones you mentioned. Sometimes a wooded Glen is much more enjoyable than a knife! Sandra |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Balladeer - Your precious words are like finding extra, red gummie bears in the package !! They make me so very grateful....and....satisfied!! Chris Life is not measured by breaths you take, but by moments that take your breath away. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Balladeer, I've read more of your words than Sylvia's, but I feel as you do. I write a few flowing love lines, or pleading words of Peace, I write of nature and mankind in general. But true angst? It is the most painful, most difficult, most intense, most tightly focussed write. And one my pen shudders at, and the words get stuck in a blobby mess that refuse to become anything resembling angst poetry. But it sure is fun to dribble a bit! [This message has been edited by Midnitesun (01-26-2002 02:51 PM).] |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
Deer, as my mother used to say...you don't need to be a pot to know the fire's hot...or perhaps it was a cauldron, who knows. Keth Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind. Unknown |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Dear Balladeer, Now tell, me Deer, where would we be, without writers who tell stories? All would be simple monochrone descriptions, that might as well be locked in encryptions! Without those like you, who pens stories well, there would be no future stories to tell! peace, my friend, Cor [This message has been edited by Corinne (01-26-2002 07:13 PM).] |
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
Yes, you're right - you're not a poet...you're an artist of words...you're a weaver of beauty, and, you're probably the best storyteller to grace these forums, get the point? How I wish that I could write like you! You fill your niche to perfection.This was extremely well expressed. Take care cutie patootie Melissa~ "Poetry is not an opinion expressed... it is a song that rises from a bleeding wound...or a smiling mouth" ~Kahlil Gibran~ [This message has been edited by Melissa Honeybee (01-26-2002 08:17 PM).] |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Kit...you're a sweetie! Thank you, not Janet Marie Madame...don't expect me to call you a liar. That's not kind!! Mushy...what a wonderful poetic reply! Thank you, mushy one! Charisman...that you can count on, dear lady! Sandra...that is so true! Their talent is enviable...what made it possible is not! Nightshade...Finally! Someone I can satisfy. Thank you!! My ex-wife said that was impossible!!! Midnitesun...right you are. Well, you keep flowing and I'll keep tall taling and we'll leave that stuff to others! Keth...your mother said some interesting things! Corinne...that's right! We all have our roles to play...I'm happy with mine... Melissa...you do very well on your own, patootie lady! Thanks for your wonderful words |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
I'm so used to reading your usual style, this surprised me a bit. I really, really enjoyed how you wrote it. I like the examples you used stating what you're not. I found your self-appraisal in the poem...precise. And your explanation was exactly what I'd hoped for. |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
and 'deer old friend...I don't want you to ever be a poet either...cause it just ain't your style... |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Hmmm, I was thinking that I will never be a "Balladeer" but I do know what you mean Michael as I may not write the best but I sure know a good poet when I read one. You dear man are the best at what you do, and for that there are a lot of grateful people. <font face="monotype corsiva">~* Carpe' Diem *~ |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
I can only shake my head and sigh, for lack of words tonight |
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rwood Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793Tennessee |
Nay fray...I shall be languid in the green grasses of fresh love with winded heart and new eyes in the bountiful harvest of your poetic words. And then we can cut up and laugh about the ants in our pants! You are you..such a good thing. Sincerely, Reg |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
You've touched me and caused a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes much much more often than have any of those so-called famous poets. Excellent expression, though, Michael! |
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Greeneyes
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
This speaks more then just words....it is divine poetry, and such a pleasure to read....please give me lessons on how you do this.... Lauren~ Step through the barrier of my mind, enter my soul, feel my desire, let my eyes guide you into the shadows of my heart [This message has been edited by Greeneyes (01-27-2002 10:09 AM).] |
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