The Meaning Of A Poem Poem by Shalom Freedman

THE MEANING OF A POEM

The meaning of a poem
Is written within the lines
And between them.
It is outside and around,
Under and above
Where the simple sense is.

The meaning of a poem surrounds and embeds it,
And forces it to twist and turn within and without itself,
In more directions than it itself knows.

The meaning of a poem burns-
And aches to show
Where the wound is.

Oh scars of words and simple singing melodies of light
Where is your balm of thunder and dawn, now?