Poem. From the old French poeme, from the Latin poema, from the Greek poema, a derivative of the verb poeim meaning "to make, to create." The word poem literally means "something created." Poet. From the Greek poetes, meaning "maker." Thus, the poet is the creator of the world of the poem. He or she has complete control of all the elements therein: anything can happen. It is through this power which the poet possesses as maker that each poem is rendered completely unique. Each poem, each created piece is the link between the unfettered and abstruse emotions of the poet and his or her conscious mind. Furthermore, once the poem is created and the emotions made more concrete, the words become to link between these emotions a rare connection between poet and reader, and through this connection the reader can experience events and emotions which may never have occurred in his or her life. This is the magic of poetry.
There were many excellent works which were considered each an important tool of expression for me.
"Reptilian Testimony" deals with the issue of powerlessness in a very personal level. I use elaborate language and metaphor to create an impressive work of poetry:
Her words slithered across the page
The narrator is reading a letter written for someone who is subtly accusing her of something but who initially tries to hide her intentions behind politeness. The slithering words invoke an image of serpentine script handwriting, seemingly innocuous, but with intentions of "ensnare" her. The letter-writer is likened to a snake, perhaps because the script, but also because of the sly, soothing way in which she ultimately destroys her victims. Also, the impressive use of sibilance, a difficult technique to use well, creates an overall alliteration which is suggestive of a snake's hissing. The letter is devoid of even a single "angry syllable," and the language is composed of "cool soothing sounds." The letter is innocent but the words are "sure in their destination of my guilt."
The lines of the message begin to hypnotize the persona into being repentant and "invoking a contrite trance," by "rhythmically crooning convictions." The accuser is repeating her belief that the persona is guilty, and essentially talking her into apologizing for something she may not have done. In the fourth stanza, however, the tone of the letter changes from gently accusing to hostile.
Relishing the victory she struck
The writer of the letter has dispensed of all pleasantries, no longer concerned with subtlety and slyness in her accusing or with sparing the persona's feelings. The language changes from "cool soothing sounds to "poisonous invectives." The writer is enjoying the knowledge that the reader of the letter is certainly feeling the weight of her guilt, and takes advantage of this reaction. Adding insult to injury, so to speak, she lets her poisonous words seep into the persona's "vulnerable wounds." The last stanza merely shows the effects of the scathing letter on its reader she is a victim of the "cold blooded reptilian testimony."
My use of complex images conveyed with an economy of language creates a very believable circumstances.
This is just a highlight. Please carefully peruse each of the poems in this book, for you will find a wealth of experience and emotion within.
Scott Ransopher, Author