John R. Yaws also submitted "The Poet's Dilemma" and "The Poet's Desire" with this one. - poetheart 08/13/01
Words...unfit, unsuited words
Can never possibly convey-
The passions pounding in our hearts-
Nor frame the things we wish to say.
Words can never scale the heights-
Nor span the gulf between the two,
Nor form a union of the soul-
From what we are and what we do.
Words are tinsel on a tree-
Tawdry, false and valueless-
Words which cut you like a knife-
In the next breath your soul caress.
Words the tools of Poet's trade-
May paint a canvas, broad and fair-
Yet fail to beauty, justice do-
And is this not Poet's despair
by John R. Yaws