Most of the poems I write seem to come to me unbidden. Sometimes it begins with a single line that pops into my head. The poem grows from that single thought, like a plant from a seed. Other times, they seem to write themselves. The words come faster than I can write them down. It is very seldom that I simply choose a subject and then write a poem about it.

The poem below was one that seemed to write itself. At the time, I was reading some messages that were sent to me by friends shortly after the death of the love of my life. My eyes began to mist up and then the tears and sobs came, just as I wrote in the poem. Do not look for hidden messages or fanciful alliteration in this poem. The poem is not an allegory or metaphor – it is a real experience from real life.

Thinking of You

At first, it is only
wetness in the eyes
then come the real tears
and the sobs.
From somewhere comes
this strange, squeaky voice
full of pain saying,
"Oh God, how can I go on?"
Then slow, deep breaths
until the pain eases
and I realize that 'how'
doesn't matter.
It is more a matter of why.
I will go on,
because I must.

John Allen January, 2008

Langston Hughes wrote many short poems. In the last post I quoted my favorite poem - Dreams. That is not just my favorite poem by Langston Hughes, it is my favorite poem, period. This is another short poem by Langston Hughes. While he wrote many quite long poems, I believe it is in his short poems where the real power of his poetry shines through. The following poem evokes strong emotions in eight short lines.

Walls

Four walls can hold
So much pain,
Four walls that shield
From the wind and rain.

Four walls shelter
So much sorrow
Garnered from yesterday
and held for tomorrow.

Langston Hughes
1902-1967

While I enjoy a complicated poem that makes me think and stretches my imagination, I prefer simple poems written in simple language. Those are the kinds of poems I write and the ones I prefer to read.

My favorite poet is Langston Hughes. I intend to write an article for my main web site and several posts on the blog about his poetry. The poem below is my favorite poem. According to The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes edited by Arnold Rampersad and David Roessel, it is one of his earlier poems written sometime between 1921 and 1930. As far as I know, this is the most complete collection of his poems available.

Dreams

Hold fast to dreams
for if dreams die
life is a broken-winged bird
that cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
for when dreams go
life is a barren field
frozen with snow.

Langston Hughes
1902-1967