Well Versed In Poetry... Poem by Denis Martindale

To be well versed in poetry
One needs a certain flair,
To see the magic mystery,
Or majesty to share...
To think of others now and then
And offer some advice
That you think fitting for all men,
Yes, something wise and nice...

Perhaps confession of one's soul,
Outpourings from one's heart,
Through verses that show self-control,
Expressions of one's art...
Like painting pictures verbally,
Yet silent, in their minds,
As if a rainbow stretched out free,
Throughout one's written lines...

Or what about romantic love
That makes the heartbeat race?
Or just to name a star above,
For her, the girl you chase?
Or themes in which one's dreams come true,
Miraculous, of course,
Or write a humble prayer or two,
Some hopes to reinforce...

The ins and outs of verses penned,
Already point the way,
No need for us to give up, friend,
No need for us to stray...
Hymnwriters try to pattern well
With syllables each time,
That's hard to beat, for truth to tell,
Their hymns can be sublime...

But if free verse proves your domain,
Then take it by the horns,
Write well, so readers don't complain
And so no critic scorns...
By golly, I'm excited now!
To think what you could write!
I think you'll do O.K, somehow,
Just write with all your might!


Denis Martindale,8th February 2016.