Renewed intrest in poetry

In the last few weeks I have realized that I need to do some additional reading. Now, I do read a lot, novels, history, science fiction and lots of other things, but one area thathas been lacking in attention is poetry. I have always enjoyed reading poetry and I guess that goes back to my childhood. My mother is a big fan of poetry and as kids she was always reading or writing her own poems and reading them to us.

I’m not sure when I lost sight of poetry in my everyday life. I have a number of collections that I enjoy. I am always listening to the Poet’s Corner on or local Public Radio Station, but I cannot remember when I last read a poem. Actually that is not quite right; I have read a number of the poetic verses found in Psalms on a fairly regular basis. But to read a poem by Robert Frost or Emily Dickinson, I can’t remember when I last opened a book to take in the prose and poetry they offer.

It is funny that all of a sudden I find that I have a great need to delve into the world of poetry once again. I wonder if I am searching for words to describe my feelings in a way that only poetry can do? There is something in the very nature of poetry that touches the soul, I can’t really explain it, but I do feel it.

So if I was going to make a resolution for 2009 I would have to say that it is “to read more poetry”. What about you?

Here is a poem I would like to share:

Peace Everywhere

Peace, everywhere, peace today!
Peace in lands of scruffy trees and pine,
Peace in lands of olives and wine,
Peace in lands where peaks are white,
Peace in lands where fields are bright.
Peace in lands of oasis and sand,
Peace in lands where people band,
Peace in lands where children play,
Peace in lands where people pray,
Peace in lands in the thick of the fight,
Peace in lands ruled by force and might.

Everywhere, everywhere, peace this day!
Pray that all world leaders lead the way,
Encouraging moral people to stand proud and tall,
No government too great, no nation too small.

Joseph T. Renaldi

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/peace-everywhere/