Poetry

Glory Road
by Earl Bergland, 1973

Walking on the glory road!
The glory road where the great men are
Pointing to the pathway, the star.

Men live tortured on the glory road
Living as they must.
Sacrificing their best for us.

Lot of good men needed
Come on, get on the glory road.

Takes a lot of trying,
There's crushing of sorrow.
There's no waiting for tomorrow.

For walking on the glory road,
The valiant never knowing when
They won't be breathing again.

Hear them walking on the glory road.
Point your footsteps there friend
Join with many gallant unknown men.

Going to try for the glory road!
Dream of the glory road!
Bound for the glory road!
Where the great men are
Pointing to the pathway, the star.

Why Poetry? Poems are written by people who are too lazy to write a book. Most people who write poetry would do more good for the world by growing flowers or painting old barns. But we need to have patience because many young poets just need a few years of practicing as do musicians.
What are the three basic requirements for a quality poem?
A. The topic must be very important.
B. The poet must express thoughts with clarity.
C. The poem must create a dramatic impact (create an emotional feeling) in reader.
Is poetry a waste of time? That is a tough question. We can wonder the same thing about fishing or watching a football game. A poem provides the poet with a means of expressing ideas and feelings by a very personal means. Playing basket ball or cooking is also a means of personal expression.
What kind of an attitude should we have about reading poetry? Imagine sitting in a park on a spring day listening to your friend discuss ideas with you. Poets love waterfalls and country fried chicken.