When You Love Your Poems
You write your own vows
and recite them out loud
This isn’t your first poetry reading
You pick the best
but vary your playlist
You don’t show up
in the same dress twice
You read something sad
and something funny
Something old and new
borrowed or blue
With every reading
your commitment
to writing deepens
and every poem
is like a child
to be raised
__________Colleen Redman / Poets United
October 22nd, 2017 8:26 am
Hi Colleen, So true, I recognise this from our local open mic nights.
October 22nd, 2017 9:50 am
I agree with John’s comment, I also see it in our open mic evenings.
October 22nd, 2017 10:12 am
I love this. Our poems are like our offspring. Right now, mine lack inspiration, smiles. Waiting for them to wake up.
October 22nd, 2017 10:20 am
Let’s call that “gestation,” Sherry!
October 22nd, 2017 10:43 am
If not like a child you raised, at least a child you birthed. I loved your poem.
October 22nd, 2017 11:29 am
Well seems like I’m stuck in some endless gestation period then!!!!
October 22nd, 2017 12:09 pm
Oh this is soo touching! Indeed every poem of ours is like a child we have raised 🙂
October 22nd, 2017 12:42 pm
You really makes me want to read poetry myself… so far it has been so much writing.
October 22nd, 2017 12:57 pm
You nailed it.
October 22nd, 2017 1:47 pm
I haven’t read any of my poems out loud, but i love your poem
October 22nd, 2017 2:27 pm
I recently read at an open mic. You’re so right, I felt like I was introducing my children while on their best behavior.
October 22nd, 2017 4:10 pm
A wonderful way of thinking about a poetry reading! I haven’t done one for a while, but your poem brings back the feelings once experienced!
October 22nd, 2017 4:47 pm
So true! I think of it as a birthing process–some come into the world more easily than others I think
October 22nd, 2017 7:31 pm
I love the way you write, and that opening is amazing. I feel the same way that birthing and writing our poems is like raising a child.
October 23rd, 2017 12:33 am
Oh your end is so gorgeous and true.
October 23rd, 2017 2:18 am
Yes indeed, how wedded we are to our art. 🙂
October 23rd, 2017 3:53 pm
Oh, THOSE children! Hahaha! What a delightful read this is!
October 25th, 2017 1:24 am
Ah yes, our brain children. And unlike human children, we get to openly pick favorites. Smiled when I read this.