A few kind words

A few kind words, what can be bought with that?
In essence just a clique of tidy prose,
a verb, a noun, perhaps an adjectival phrase
offered in the form of venal praise
– and be surprised at what it buys.
Like a fleeting smile it’s currency outweighs
the simple form, a hint of urbane compliment,
a subtle implement to sway discursive
dissertation, stun a lengthy recitation,
steal the centre ground; oh, so was that smile
for me? Profound congratulations are implied,
and truth denied, we always need a dose of that!
I’ll put it in my hat, my ego is well fed enough
and poets with a fat, indulgent ego are a nuisance
to the trade. Thank you for your words;
these words are yours in kind to muse,
I hope you’ll find some joy in that.
© I.D. Carswell
June 2006

A few days ago I received the following email message from Diana Collins:

“Hello, Ivan!I'm Diana Collins, I'm a poetry fan.I've visited your blog and I liked it very much.I would like to thank you for your blog and for the time you spent creating it.It's wonderful that there are such blogs, where people can learn something new and useful about poetry. It would be great to have such blogs as many as possible!Wish you good luck and success in your occupation!Hats off,Diana Collins”

It is the first time I have received direct and unsolicited words of encouragement since I embarked upon my solo poetical mission. I thanked Diana in the only way possible for a poet, with the poem above, ‘A few kind words’; after all she did provide the motivation and occasion.

I have since discovered Diana is one of three enthusiasts who front “Famous Poets & Poems” which I have since linked to this blog (see sidebar links). It is a fabulous site and definitely worth revisiting whenever time permits. I know I will be doing so…