Quiver
by Michael Doyle

I reach for words from a quiver of choices,
Drowning in a wave of three kinds of voices.
This, then, is what makes up the poet's armory
And the choices made make for dissonance or harmony.

I find myself talking to me or sometimes nobody,
But always I fake my truths as though I do this nobly. 
Sometimes I do these things as if before an audience,
At other times, I only whisper quietly in my defiance.

Defiantly, I struggle with my bouts of creativity.
At times, even I am convinced by attempts at ingenuity.
I rummage through words I can't put another sort of way.
And this then, is how I busy myself usefully in my day.

When no one is looking I create drama within my verse,
Trying to conjure T.S. Elliot, but maybe a bit perverse.
Because I know his greatness is something of I'm not capable.
But maybe if I try, I might say something notable.

Rafael's century of sonnets signal the inner path
Of star-crossed lovers as slaves to the god of math.
The Brownings waltzed across the pages well respected.
Yet, a million other lovers will remain forever neglected.

Defiantly, I struggle with my bouts of creativity.
At times, even I am convinced by attempts at ingenuity.
I rummage through words I can't put another sort of way.
And this then, is how I busy myself usefully in my day.

A Shakespeare is only found in his characters created,
But what he said touched the soul, and is widely imitated.
Through his words is found the truth most forbidden,
That poetry is everywhere and yet it remains half hidden.

A great love poem is meant to be casually overheard.
We all know this as our lives crisscross becoming blurred.
All of us hurt differently exhausting moments good and bad.
We know we have made a difference when others catch our sad.

Defiantly, I struggle with my bouts of creativity.
At times, even I am convinced by attempts at ingenuity.
I rummage through words I can't put another sort of way.
And this then, is how I busy myself usefully in my day.

(c) March 2, 2026   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved