Poem April 27, 1987 Issue

The poet as activist

Elizabeth Woolley

How can a poet become an activist?
By economy of words,
When each has force. The push and pull
of Life itself, expressed,
is sometimes called the Word.
He learns that language less enwrapped,
less burdened, leaves spaces
For the spirit to fulfill the meaning with
surprises
(Perhaps the sudden feel of Love unfreezing
a long unease of heart).
It could be so.
So poet pauses to elevate the words he writes
accepts a little wisdom
rebels somewhat
And laughs when walls of inhibition break
and Soul flows in
to realize God's world with him,
Embracing reader unencumbered, too,
The nearness and farness of delight
the Word to know,
care about,
and articulate.