Eight Syllables Are All I Need! Poem by Denis Martindale

Eight syllables are all I need to fashion something new.
For writing prompts help me succeed to write again for you.
For you can read and then recite the poems that I share,
Yet only if I write them right and edit and take care.
For words are toys to many folks. Just playthings now and then.
For limericks and quotes and jokes we like to hear again.
But when a poem says so much it pauses us to think,
Respect the power in its touch as worthy of the ink.
As worthy of the time it took to edit every line.
Or get it published in a book, so fancy and so fine.
Or shown upon the Internet, where special fonts exist
And with free photos we can get, their blessings to enlist.
Or found in friendly greetings cards and Christmas cards each year.
Whatever blesses human hearts with hope instead of fear.

Eight syllables are all I need, then six to follow on.
Like common metre hymns we read, with faith to build upon.
Like wisdom that was Heaven-sent, compressed in poetry
And not received by accident, for it was meant to be.
No wonder poets span the globe, like Shakespeare in his time,
With deeper meanings we can probe and secrets so sublime.
Through prophecies the psalmists wrote, just like Psalm twenty-two,
Such that in future we'd take note of what Jesus must do.
A world that's full of mysteries, of languages galore.
Don't think God's wonders ever cease. There's always more and more
And why the children sing new songs the poets choose to write.
For to the world each song belongs, not hidden out-of-sight.
Take up the challenge to your hearts and write some poems, too.
For who knows what each verse imparts for others not just you?

Eight syllables are all I need so I write on-the-spot.
Such that my spirit can be freed and then I write a lot!
God blesses poets when they pray. He harkens well to each.
He listens to the words they say and helps them as they teach.
So if you let Him bless your mind with wisdom good as gold,
Then oh, what treasures you will find, what wonders to behold.
When revelation pours out truth as well as joy and love,
It comes upon each one as proof that God's grace is enough.
It's like the sun that lights our path and helps the flowers grow.
It's like the times we've got to laugh at things we've come to know.
So think of poems as our friends and share your very best.
Upon this insight all depends so Mankind can be blessed.
I've written thousands, yes, indeed. Perhaps you'll write a few.
Eight syllables are all you need. The rest are up to you.


Denis Martindale. July 2020.