What Exactly Is Poetry? Poem by Denis Martindale

What exactly is poetry? To answer this I'd say,
It's seeking for true harmony, some topic to relay.
With artistry and eloquence and also savoir-faire
And editing with diligence, for lines beyond compare...
It's like an angel took the time to write of wondrous things
And thought such thoughts he thought sublime for citizens and kings,
Then asked the Lord for human aid to share such words below
And thus each poet has been made to let the whole world know...
It's like the creatures of this Earth asked God to share their plight
And cause some human souls of worth to pause and pray and write,
So God agreed to teach Mankind, then from such people here,
He chose the best that He could find to make such matters clear...

It's like the sun and moon and stars that lacked the chance to speak,
Yet had important news to pass that really was unique.
To glorify the Lord of all, beyond the lights they shone,
To share Creation's miracle that life's been built upon...
And yet some ask of poetry, 'What purpose does it serve? '
It's like they've lost the mystery beyond life's learning curve
And so God made the poets pause, for visions and for dreams,
To study God and all His laws, His purposes and schemes...
And this was how the verses came, in Scriptures old and new,
To help us not to stay the same, but do what we must do!
That's how the world can still improve, as poets share their rhymes,
To strength us, or simply soothe each soul for better times...


Denis Martindale August 2016.