Why Would Anyone Want To Be a Poet?

First, besides Robert Frost and William Shakespeare few poets ever make enough money to pay the bills much less support a family: so why would anyone choose to be a poet? Secondly, few people even read anything anymore, beyond text messages and posts on social media. But assuming that you are still reading, here three questions that may help you to find the answer for your life.

1. Is it For God’s Glory?   Because, whatever you do, eating or drinking or anything else, everything should be done to bring glory to God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Phillips

When we think of poetry and more specifically about ourselves as poets, we figure that our job is somehow different and more important than that of plumbers or housekeepers. But the Bible makes no such differentiation. All of us have the obligation to communicate through our work, the glory of God. Think of work like home remodeling One person installs the sink and countertops while another cleans it up as if Jesus were getting ready to cook a gourmet meal there. All of us are expected to get our job done for a specific purpose and with all the excellence we are capable of.

• Is It Told With Simplicity: But I am afraid that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led astray from the simplicity of your pure devotion to Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:18 AMP

During the 1700’s there was a small religious group called the Shakers who had an impact on our culture far beyond the few communities they founded. In 1848, Joseph Brackett, one of their leaders wrote a song titled Simple Gifts.

Tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free

Tis a gift to come down to where we ought to be

Most of us can use a bit of that advice before we start to write. Sadly, entire library shelves (Not to mention websites) are filled with unread dusty volumes of dense impenetrable words. While these may be of some value to a few rare souls, if our desire is to communicate to a wider audience then we might need to follow the advice posted on our daughter-in-law’s refrigerator:

Simplify – Throw everything out!

• Where Do I Fit In?

Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others…2 Corinthians 10:15 ESV

To our modern way of thinking any sort of limit simply restricts our horizons and denies us the ability to reach our full potential. But Paul reveals that the secret of His effectiveness and success was precisely because he willingly and joyfully worked within the limits that God had chosen for him. The news flash from the Bible is that we are not called to reach everyone, but we have the chance to reach someone. For me that someone, is usually one of my own grandchildren. I usually keep a picture in my mind of one of their faces whenever I am writing (And rewriting, then chopping it down some more).

But enough talk about poetry! Here is a simple verse to say goodbye for now.

I Am Your Poem

I am your poem

I am a bright and red balloon

If you’ll fill me with the breath God gave

I’ll carry to another heart

God’s simple happy tune

Why Would Anyone Want to Be a Poet? by Peter Caligiuri © 2020 All rights reserved