The Older Poet
I’m setting the record straight
Even as it fades away
Passing on a legacy of story
with words that will outlive me
Scattering the sum of parts
Examining proof of concept
I’m leaving my poet’s thumbprint
Love letters to whom it concerns
_________Colleen Redman / Poets United / dVerse Poets Pub
December 1st, 2019 12:29 pm
I love the imagery your first couplet brews. It reminds me of sharing words online, letting them fly free, for all to experience and feel… if they want.
December 1st, 2019 1:28 pm
I wonder too… to have the last word is maybe a reason to write (but who will read?)
December 1st, 2019 1:32 pm
Yes. I am too, in hopes that my kids may read my work one day after I am gone.
December 1st, 2019 3:34 pm
Lots of couplets on the trail today. I like the first one immensely.
December 1st, 2019 4:39 pm
Bravo, you! If we don’t put the words out there, no-one will see/hear them, that’s for sure. And I think, if we have a talent or vocation, we also have a duty to it, to exercise it. This is beautifully said.
December 1st, 2019 4:51 pm
This is absolutely beautiful! ❤️ I love; “I’m leaving my poet’s thumbprint/Love letters to whom it concerns.” 🙂
December 1st, 2019 10:50 pm
A testament or declaration, I haven’t decided., or maybe both? Thank you for this vision and the sharing your words.
December 2nd, 2019 9:47 am
tickticktick
December 2nd, 2019 6:28 pm
How satisfying it is to have the last word! 😉
December 2nd, 2019 8:10 pm
I am energized in special way knowing my writing will live on for generations. That folks will maybe have an idea of who I was, what was important in my life. Your poem is quite lovely.
December 3rd, 2019 12:26 am
You’ve put into words what I’ve been feeling like lately. Haven’t settled into it yet, though.
December 12th, 2019 6:39 pm
Never has painting the canvas of one’s soul — and others to witness it — been easier. You Go Girl!
December 12th, 2019 6:59 pm
Indeed, our words will outlive us if they are online or published in any kind of journal–large or small. I have an image in my head of someone picking up an old copy of South Dakota Review someday in the future and reading my story there and wondering about the author and who he was and what he was all about. It’s the very same thing I do, and enjoy doing, when going to used book sales and buying older copies of literary journals. Those poets still speaking to me from an ever more distant past. Many are speaking from the grave. That’s the timeless quality and the power of poetry.
December 12th, 2019 10:44 pm
Write it all down. These words will outlive us.
December 12th, 2019 11:25 pm
I’m leaving my poet’s thumbprint
Love letters to whom it concerns
Definitely a piece that touched my heart deeply.
December 13th, 2019 1:07 am
I’m testing my final testament
I’m having the last word
– Great lines. I picture someone stumbling upon this many years later and smiling.
December 13th, 2019 5:32 am
Made me smile a lot this morning Colleen – even when dealing with challenging issues – usually somewhat wryly… I always find a lift in your work. Thanks and have a great Christmas.
December 13th, 2019 10:28 am
As an older poet myself, I agree that writing on the wind is satisfying to the end, Colleen, and I love the idea of leaving my poet’s thumbprint and having the last word.
December 13th, 2019 12:12 pm
Good observations about setting the record straight through leaving one’s thumbprint.
December 13th, 2019 5:05 pm
I quite agree! We can only hope that we’re leaving behind a thumbprint — some record — of our time here.
December 14th, 2019 2:18 am
Inner Voice
A Soul Poem
At Best FLoWinG
Deep Ocean Whole Us
As What
Comes
to the
Surface
Finally Breathes..:)
December 14th, 2019 10:33 pm
As poets we want to leave our thumbprints in the hopes someone will read and digest our words. Will they understand what was important to our hearts in this journey called life?
December 16th, 2019 12:04 am
I love the idea of a poet’s thumbprint–to have one is a gift.