Cherry Cloud Arms Poem by Terence George Craddock (Spectral Images and Images Of Light)

An interesting duet of loaded questions. Shakespeare and other classical poets you have heard of advocated copyright of their verse. It is impossible to seal a poem. The poem was written by an individual poet, or two or more poets combined to produce a poem. Personally I quote all sources, reference any work that inspires me, to remember and honour the specific piece of literature that delighted or intrigued my mind. I give away poems I write, sometimes as parting gifts, sometimes 30 40 or more to a friend, retaining no copies. These are gifts to friends I will see no more when leaving to live work in another location, so that they retain memories of friendships we shared. Hundreds of other poems have been lost when moving over the years, poems never posted. To post a poem is to gift it to a reader, is it not? Once when I never signed poems readers complained about this anonymity of legacy left. Presently I try to remember to name and date everything because I have written about 100 poems a month over the past 20 odd months. I do not remember many poems or the associated poems with similar themes if writing this fast. Some days I write nothing, other days perhaps even a few dozen poems. Here is the poem you read in context. Imagination In All Discoveries 8&9.10.2011 (1) Breaking Seal Soil Brave Birth Risings 9.10.2011 (2) Imagery Through Rustic Fall Leaves 9.10.2011 (3) Eyes Feast Upon First New Seedlings 9.10.2011 (4) Springtime Blessings 9.10.2011 (5) Love Life Lessons 9.10.2011 (6) After Love Is Lost 9.10.2011 (7) Mortal Framework Evoke Life Lessons 9.10.2011 (8) Sight Scent Flame Buds 9.10.2011 (9) Cherry Blossom Flames 9.10.2011 (10) Cherry Cloud Arms 9.10.2011 (11) Cherry Bloom Flowers Choir Sing 9.10.2011 (12) Dark Silhouette Cherry Tree 9.10.2011 (13) Solemn Stones Petal Kisses 9.10.2011 (14) I could have kept writing more, but my wife and daughters wanted me to watch a program on TV with them. I stop mid poem to take them shopping, to movies, swimming. This is family time, perhaps you understand?

Why do you copyright your poems? Do you really think somebody would steal them?