Dead Poets Walking

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

There are poems spoken aloud everywhere we look; on the wind, in the trees, among leaves of grass, but especially (for me at any rate) from the sea. The sea has, after all, inspired many writers, especially poets, and even though they may be long dead, whatever inspired them is still available to anyone else who cares to listen...

Today's poem was first published in Poetry Monthly International, February 2009 and subsequently in Ygdrasil, a brilliant on-line poetry journal prior to my latest collection the following year; the latter has since closed down but remains accessible and I recommend a visit to poetry lovers everywhere:

http://www.synapse.net/kgerken/

This poem is a villanelle.

DEAD POETS WALKING

Poets call out hopefully
(we turn a deaf ear)
taking a walk by the sea

Images of suffering we see
and cannot bear;
poets call out hopefully

Demons keeping company,
(anthologies of fear)
taking a walk by the sea

From the world, no apology
for a single tear;
poets call out hopefully

Though gods seek patiently,
none find us here,
taking a walk by the sea

Foaming mouths gobble us
as night draws near;
poets call out hopefully,
taking a walk by the sea

Copyright R. N. Taber 2010; 2017

[Note: The above poem has been significantly revised since appearing in On the Battlefields of Love by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2010]