People Are Poetry

We’re living in scary times, but it’s great to see the government has finally taken this seriously! Coronavirus has had an impact on so much; the lives of our loved ones, the way we live day-to-day and the life situations/struggles we face. This is terrible, there is no other way to say, but there is one thing that I have found beauitful - the kindness and connection people have found, and the strength to stay positive! From Italian balcony singers to country wide applause of our incredible NHS and carers! I hope this poem captures that beauty and strength. Stay home,stay safe, protect the NHS.

The poet is the one
That can weave words
Wind them like silk
Lend them wings
So they may transcend
This earth

But if you asked me
For the most beautiful poem
I'd have to say stop, observe
See these incredible people
Over-throwing coronavirus curse
People are your poem

As all our careful sandcastles
Crumble again to sand
And tides roll in
Stealing all the things
We had planned
See, how we still stand

Poems need truth
A certain beauty
They are robust
Strong enough to go hold
Our deepest thoughts, biggest dreams
To stay warm when the world turns cold

I see the same thing
Written as people
Beautiful enough to stir a smile
Strong enough
To galvanise hope
Against life's existential rust

Like great poems
Even as stress edits
Chops and cuts
People that beautiful phrase
Which refuses to go, says no
We survive because we must

Like a literary classic
Not celebrating pressure
But in resilience
Proving more than
It's measure
And so, an eternal treasure

These things
Falling out my pen
I could dress them as sunbeams
Place them in the trickle of a stream
But this wouldn't equal
The poetry that is people

Take a look
It's written in our eyes
Just around the iris
In tiny font and a forgotten a language
But look and you'll find it
It's that light that never dies

Dave James Horn ©

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About Dave James Horn

Based in Folkestone, Dave James Horn writes poetry to raise a smile and provoke a thought. He is part of Poet’s Corner Folkestone and an organiser of the Folkestone Language Exchange. Read his full bio here.