Text Poem by Theresa Haffner

as poets we are externally
no different from any other persons.
we have the same conflicts
the same joys and sorrows

yet we use the elements of our life
to create works of art
opening our personal experience to public scrutiny
laying bare the secrets of our soul

transforming our fears and shortcomings
to somehow give other people hope and courage
reaching out with human kindness
to touch another

person to person
without assumptions without dogma
not to preach but to share
divulging things that have never been revealed

putting our hearts and our reputations on the line
that other people be better able
to understand their lives
that they will know they are not alone

many times a poet is said
to be a spokesperson for a certain
segment of the population
we are often very lost

and feel very much alone
we are very insecure in our feelings
we don’t know if anyone has ever
felt this way before

we hope that by shedding light
on our inner feelings
another soul also lost
will find the courage

to seek
his own way to the dawn