What is Poetry?

"A poem is a performance in words" - Robert Frost
"A poem should not mean, but be" - Archibald Macleish

"In the meantime, if you demand on the one hand,
The raw material of poetry in all its rawness
And that which is on the other hand genuine,
Then you are interested in poetry" -Marianne Moore

"But even the greatest and most famous kings
Feared and with reason, to offend the poets
Whose songs are marble and whose marble sings" -A. Macleish

"Do not go gentle into that good night
Rage, rage against the dying of the light" -Dylan Thomas

Poetry

So be, my words like silent fog,
Feel not the harsh of Sunday's call
But give inspired, a new dialogue.

Fly with birds, to see the sights,
With open eyes before the pall.
Breathe in time with pure delights.

Be mute awhile and smell a rose
Bathe in sounds as bubbles fall.
Be still, dispeling sorrow's woes.

Just smile away the grey of day.
Forget bad memories upon the wall
Then love someone in your own way.

Write true poems through your own eyes
Painting a picture of feelings and all.
Reveal your mysteries, the chord of sighs.

Richard Lynn Livesay 2009

EAST OF AETHER'S BLISS

Solar winds reach Diana's phase,
Moon-glow lights, a golden haze.
Leaning toward, your warmth within,
I touched your soul, where it began.
As you were there, before my past
You cast your spirit, into the vast.

Dancing in soft, green fields of form
We rolled and played, like young newborn
Transcending smoky, whispers known,
Above the ancient, spirits thrown,
I joined you in the prophet's cave,
To understand, what heroes gave.

Saw thunderclouds and flashing bolts,
Felt whaling winds of stinging volts.
Then was revealed, the form of Zeus
And Titan-spirit gods let looose.
Through clouds of mist, we watched the dawn,
As Holy Beings sang their song.

Then, Heavenly secrets, released our fears
And we flew into dimensional years.
Broadcasting Truth, to those that hear.
With those who love and those who care,
We'll be together, Forever to share.