Poetry

Self Anger Has No Pity
by Earl Bergland, 1989

Fair who calls his death just
I shall teach justice
Blood for blood
Anger grinds
Revenge strangles

No friend shall be destroyed
Without the honor of my wounds
To live in the disgrace
Of having made no sacrifice

Oh bear of death back up time
That you should violate a love one
Without first giving warning
No time for amends for thanks

My anger at having let overdue
Offerings drift
Everyday cares more dear

Seize the life of my friend
Dictate that I am only
To look down
To mumble words
To give tears
Acts of shame

Back up time demon bear
Let my wounds prove to my friend
Who I am
Before you claim his life
Let me rid my body of anger
With the chopping of my sword

Bring warning to me bear
That I may morn in peace
With honor
For my friend

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.