Craftsman Of Words Poem by Terence George Craddock (Spectral Images and Images Of Light)

craftsman
of
words

The Book Guild
used the term
in a blurb for poems

I wrote when
mainly in my early
twenties I always

thought many
publish too young
when too easily

influenced
before
they are

sure
of their own
voice

people
have many
specific

styles
themes
tones

they love
people read
those which

they prefer most
but it always
seemed wise

to me to strive
to realize
express

own
voice
vision

rather than write
for fickle tastes
of fashions

of the moment
that which endures
expresses

a need in us
to read beautiful
expressive thoughts

view
inspiring
works of art

esteemed artists
take time
to know realize

that
which they
desire

to express
then achieve
sometimes

fail gloriously
but depths
of reality must

come from within
sources studies
by those who aspire

to follow
their masters
examples

of achieved
artistic
expression

copyists copy
my beloved Picasso
first studied

that which was painted
before him then followed
his vision passion delved

into perspectives
of future now famous art
where none had gone

before him
the craft
may be words

music, paint,
clay, bronze,
many medium;

but expression
comes from sight
depths of soul

art gives
artists give
audience

is secondary
vision is primary
as we give

we receive
new thoughts
new images

get to live
breathe exalted
flames

grimy ashes
no fires
of vision

we exist
in
desired

reward
of all
true artists

free time
precious
to produce

freedom
of expression
within


Copyright © Terence George Craddock