Why Poems?

2025 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 20

For the 2025 November PAD Chapbook Challenge,

 poets write a poem a day in the month of November. 

Day 20 is to write an explanation poem.

To those who sometimes wonder, or ask, WHY?!!

Why poems?!!

poetry is far more than ink arrangement of verse-rhyme

(though some perceive its purpose as sheer waste of precious time)

because some so-called poets desecrate ballads with blight

through unholy vulgarity and disregard for right

poetry is love's passion poured upon a page; its quest

to rekindle a heart of awe within the human breast

to waken us to worship God with more humility

to draw wonder from unplumbed wells of Divine Deity  

to grasp, from sod and sky and sea, sacred glimpses, though dim

Of He whose workmanship is but the outer fringe of Him 

and then to bow before the parchment altar with amen 

touching the hem of God's garment through whispers of a pen

poetry is far more than vaunt to vex the hungry eye 

it is the aftermath of prayer, the dredged deeps of a sigh

the heart that skipped a beat as it beheld the holy stage

where ink survives the author of words committed to page 

poetry is the pleasure of  God rushing through thought's veins 

a holy happiness that the Ultimate Bard sustains

through nature's endless evidence of He who woos the soul

and keens ears to an ocean where uncharted poems toll/roll

poetry is far more than lyrical extravagance

it is a brush that paints a scene, a soulful song and dance

it is a kind endeavor to address lament and laud

and benefit the reader with witness that points to God 

poetry is the language of lovers of humankind

longing's collective sympathies, the music of the mind

so when you ask 'why poems? all that I can think to say

 is, 'to ignore the ocean's roar would be to cease to pray'

or, when you ask 'why poems' the simplest truth I can give

Is, 'to ignore the ocean's roar would be to cease to live'

Janet Martin

“When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.”

Eric Liddell (1902–1945)

When I write poetry I feel God's pleasure

Janet Martin (1966-....)