A Sea of Floating Crystal Balls
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
The reason poetry has always been
Required is that most people lack the power
To spell out utterness as perfect kin
To Tuesday nights, the bride’s night to the hour
When supper has just finished in a home
With chintz and doilies. People always knew
And always know that daily life is foam
Above where threats and love make rendezvous.
These people do not hold the words to say
What every soul admits when eyes are closed
And only truth is faced. When tongues must pray
With stuttering, they need their notes transposed.
When Wednesday people find their joy has gone
Unknown, they need a poet’s spoken dawn.
~ Phillip Whidden