Ars Poetica #poem #poetry

Posted on Jan 19, 2021 by TanGental

A poem is an erotic pass the parcel with words,

Seductively shedding its millefeuille of meanings to tease you with its deceits.

You climb up through its stanzas, in search of the rhythms on the next horizon

Which may leave you, if bereft of inspiration, fractured on its beguiling carapace.

Sometimes, the poem sneaks an idea past your guarded eye with some keyhole trickery;

At others, it blasts its revelations from your heart with a dum-dum of apt metaphors.

At best, a poem can take you by the hand and lead you gently, and with small, ecstatic steps,

To the edge of a chasm of thought, that leaves you breathless at its ineffable depths.

You may hate a poem for showing you that long covered two-way mirror,

Which shines a black light on the inner reaches of your craven self.

Or you may love it for providing you with a periscope to a world,

Which contains a truth about nothing, other than your previously unknowable self.

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
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16 Responses to Ars Poetica #poem #poetry

  1. robertawrites235681907 says:
    Jan 19, 2021 at 4:17 am

    I really like this, Geoff. Good job!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Chel Owens says:
    Jan 19, 2021 at 8:23 am

    What about chanting yellow-wood observations for the sole purpose of exciting English professors?

    Liked by 1 person

  4. willowdot21 says:
    Jan 19, 2021 at 6:08 pm

    This is why poetry us my preferred medium. Bravo Geoff. 💜

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Elizabeth says:
    Jan 21, 2021 at 9:25 pm

    Sly indeed. I may not look at poetry the same next time I enounter a poem!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. George says:
    Jan 23, 2021 at 7:02 am

    “At best, a poem can take you by the hand and lead you gently, and with small, ecstatic steps,

    To the edge of a chasm of thought, that leaves you breathless at its ineffable depths.” – wonderful lines. I’ve read the poem three times, but keep coming back to these.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. And Or Theory says:
    Jan 30, 2021 at 8:46 pm

    Lovely ars-poetica!

    Like

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