Early Attempts At Poetry

Oh, so many years ago at freshman orientation, I became captivated by a brilliant and beautiful young woman. We had a brief but pleasant chat that day and talked occasionally over the coming months. As we got to know each other, the young lady shared with me samples of her beautifully-written poetry. 

I was focused on composing music at the time. I had not yet ventured into song and lyric writing. Words seemed daunting, so starkly literal and easily criticized. 

Inspired by my classmate’s verbal imagery, I decided to jump in and give poetry a try. The early results were humbling, but we all have to start somewhere. 

The following was one of my first attempts; I wrote it that freshman year probably with the intention of impressing my new friend. Note that the dry sense of humor and fascination with the absurd haven’t changed much over the years.

Streetlights pierce the night 

Dogs bark in the distance as 

I steal gasoline

If there are young people in your family or in your community with a desire to express their voice and their creativity, encourage them. One friendly, attentive presence, one person who shows up at the right time and conveys a sense of genuine appreciation, can inspire a lifetime of art and healthy self-expression.

Copyright © 2018 Daniel R. South 

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