How Does My Poem Affect You? Poem by Denis Martindale

Can this, my poem, reach your eyes and then your heart and mind,
Then touch that part of you so wise that treasure you could find?
Or does it leave you dry and cold… like Winter's frozen ice,
Or share a story, good as gold, that you regard as nice?
Can I express some winsome prose that stays with you for years,
Beyond one smile your face then shows… then cheers or gentle tears?
Have I brought forth a triumph now that poets would esteem,
Or could it be that here, somehow, I failed to share my dream?
Did I waste time, that precious gift, God says can't be returned,
Or did I, some way, spirits lift, that readers have discerned?
Or did I merely potter on, embellish now and then,
Portray a wistful thought long gone, not thought since way back when?
I strove towards a structured verse, a pattern that's well-known,
But did I bless, or did I curse, am I forlorn, alone?
And if alone, then pity me, if I betrayed this quest…
For while it's just some poetry… I really tried my best…
And if my best proves not enough, forgive me if you can,
I merely hoped to share some love to help my fellow man…


Denis Martindale May 2018.