What’s The Difference, If Any? Poem by Raj Arumugam

what’s the difference between a poet and
the talkative loquacious one
who must find any issue to babble about
and this puts into verse?
what’s the difference
between one who is hopelessly in love
and so writes of this in verse
and a poet?
if any
what’s the difference between
one who exchanges goss and hot news about others
and one who writes verse that generalizes these
and a poet?
if any
what’s the difference between the philosopher
who writes much verse
on one’s various ruminations
and a poet?
if any?
what’s the difference between
one who complains about the world
and wants to reform the world
and is full of the faults of the world
and so generates this into verse?
and a poet?
what about between the poet on the one hand
and on the other
the preacher and the evangelist
so given to revelations and clichés
and is so moved by the spirit to fashion much verse?
if any?
what’s the difference between a moralist
so given to aphorisms and pronouncements and judgment
all so well-shaped in verse
and a poet?
is there any amongst all these at all
or they all poets in some way?
what is the difference between the self-centered
who’ve got so many issues and problems
and wishes the world would be kinder and gentler
and gives them their just due
and would have all this simply
by punching a keyboard to make verse
and a poet?
if any?