A Path Through the Trees

"There is nothing better than saying nothing." - Ryokan Why do I read and write poems? Poetry, to me, is a nexus of opposites. It is where language (thought) and experience (reality) meet.  The worst thing to do is explain a poem.  In the same way as a joke is no longer funny if it is explained; it takes the epiphany of a realisation to elicit laughter and the epiphany of reflection to experience a poem.  A poem is a mirror.  If we don't see ourselves or some of our own experience in a poem, it falls flat. Bad poetry is just words.  Good poetry is words woven together to create a reflective surface that resonates .  Like a clear pool with hidden depths it is reflective on the surface but you can dive in - become immersed.  That is the goal.  Otherwise, why say anything at all?