! 'Great Write...' - Great Reader! Poem by Michael Shepherd

! 'Great Write...' - Great Reader!

Rating: 3.1


Every poem is an invitation
for the readers to use their imagination

a vehicle licensed
to carry passengers

who sometimes have a greater imagination
than the poet

even perhaps get more from the poem
than the poet knowingly put in

which you must admit
if with a slight embarrassment

as you read the words of praise
is a divine joke

and from the divine viewpoint
very practical since

every reader is an invitation
for the poets to match their imagination

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
jack russell 31 August 2006

Succinct words...which I echo :) Great delivery, without overt sarcasm.

0 0 Reply
Tom J. Mariani 31 October 2007

I will add this to the poem by Billy Collins titled 'Introduction to Poetry' as the best advice I can think of when writing or reading poetry. I've just started reading your work. This piece is a great way to meet you. I am looking forward to getting to the rest as time allows. Cheers from leap accross The Pond and a long stage ride from the East Coast. Tom

0 0 Reply

This is so true. You can write a poem, listen to a reader's interpretation, and then understand your own poem better. Well-written, insightful.

0 0 Reply
Rajaram Ramachandran 15 May 2008

I agree with you in all respects.

0 0 Reply
Terry Craddock 27 August 2014

Loved the way this poem turned from the original opening lines invitation, Every poem is an invitation for the readers to use their imagination a vehicle licensed to carry passengers to the acknowledgment that some readers who sometimes have a greater imagination/ than the poet will read the poem with depth and insight through to the turn of even perhaps get more from the poem/ than the poet knowingly put in. This humour and wit builds into which you must admit if with a slight embarrassment as you read the words of praise is a divine joke because perception and beauty is unique to individualized tastes. All poems liked and deeply personalized will have different meanings to different readers. The most imaginative poems will offer new meanings, perspectives with new readings, and every poetic reader can match the original poet in imagination if they take the time to fully engage with a poem and the full spectrum of that poems poetic images. An easy reading entertaining write.

8 0 Reply
Terence Craddock 28 August 2023

I wrote the poems 'Themes Topics Art Personality Choices' and 'Weave Tread Thirst Invitation Possibilities? ', inspired by the poem '! 'Great Write...' - great reader', by the poet Michael Shepherd, and dedicated to Michael Shepherd.

1 0
Adeline Foster 10 January 2014

Ah! tis a grand write. enjoyed it, Read mine - An Emily Dickenson Theory - Adeline

1 1 Reply
Samanyan Lakshminarayanan 25 October 2009

i totally agree with this poem....10

0 0 Reply
Patrick A. Martin 17 August 2009

6/10 my God they're tough judges around here Michael must be all poets. You are exactly right it is important that our poetry ignites the imagination of the reader or they won't want to read poetry. Poets should not be there to honor themselves that's just ego.10 from me anyway.

0 0 Reply
Saadat Tahir 01 July 2009

u got a n aggregate of 6/10 on this one figures... you thumb noses at PH...pay for it BTW i fully endorse and aggree...its a very nice write.....in the tradition ;) cheers

0 0 Reply
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
1 / 1558
Michael Shepherd

Michael Shepherd

Marton, Lancashire
Close
Error Success