The Only Work Poem by Glyn Maxwell

The Only Work

Rating: 4.5


In memory of Agha Shahid Ali

When a poet leaves to see to all that matters,
nothing has changed. In treasured places still
he clears his head and writes.

None of his joie-de-vivre or books or friends
or ecstasies go with him to the piece
he waits for and begins,

nor is he here in this. The only work
that bonds us separates us for all time.
We feel it in a handshake,

a hug that isn't ours to end. When a verse
has done its work, it tells us there'll be one day
nothing but the verse,

and it tells us this the way a mother might
inform her son so gently of a matter
he goes his way delighted.

Monday, June 29, 2015
Topic(s) of this poem: work
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Chinedu Dike 04 July 2015

Writing good poems requires high degree of concentration and as such no ecstasies go with a poet to the piece he waits for and begins. Indeed powerful poems as great works of art outlives their authors and treasured pieces echo onto humanity even when their writers suns are set. A well articulated piece of poetry insightfully penned with conviction. A good one indeed. Thanks for sharing. Please read my poem MANDELA - THE IMMORTAL ICON.

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Glyn Maxwell

Glyn Maxwell

Welwyn Garden City
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