There Were Poets
Poetry | Posted by Jannie on 6 December 2011 @ 7:35 AM 53 Comments
There were poets
rambling in attics
all night while
most townsfolk
were dreaming
of square-riggers
they might one
day gallivant to
new shores on.
There were poets
stashed in closets
with lamps sooting
up wool coats that
hadn’t seen the light
of day since uncles
they’d never meet
sailed to wars they’d
never return from.
There were poets
peeling potatoes.
Poets spilling out
of every coal shed
and cathedral.
Poets dreaming
in every hayfield,
carpentry shop,
and apple tree in
every village since
Cromagnon Mike
fell for the moon,
– all so content
in their gardens
of paper and ink.
Now there are poets
dancing with ghosts
in computers and
poets texting from
palaces and planes.
Now there are poets
roller skating naked
with caramel no-fat
mocha lattes in one
hand, and organic
tofu banana cashew
muffins in the other.
Poets laughing always.
Poets then.
Poets now.
Poets forever,
sure as heaven
is stitched into
everything good
we’ll ever know.
My Tuesday Open Link Night offering for dVerse Poets.
whoooohoooooo.
xoxooxxo
And oh my freaking cow – I’m number TWO on the Mr Linky this week! What a thrill, whooohooooo.
On 6 December 2011 at 7:37 am
brian miller said,
jannie this is beautifull, no joke one of my favs from you…nice rhymes and yes poets everywhere…i like them naked bearing coffee, that is a new thought for me actually…smiles….poets are everywhere, let them speak…hot…love it!!!
On 6 December 2011 at 8:35 am
Eric 'Bubba' Alder said,
Poets are often seemingly at-ends with the social norms.
As Robert Frost wrote, “And were an epitaph to be my story I’d have a short one ready for my own. I would have written of me on my stone: I had a lover’s quarrel with the world.”
On 6 December 2011 at 9:12 am
Lynn said,
This is my favorite part: “Now there are poets roller skating naked with caramel no-fat mocha lattes in one hand, and organic tofu banana cashew muffins in the other.”
I’d tell them to hold that tofu though! A fun and unique poem, my friend!
On 6 December 2011 at 11:36 am
Jennifer Susannah Devore said,
Three things that rock without fail: the sea, pirates and tofu.
Don’t knock tofu, Miss Yellow Rose of Texas; sans tofu I would be left with tubers and dried flowers for my dining preferences! Of course, I do love dried hibiscus from Trader Joe’s! Yummy!
Your poems are as lovely as your tuneage and, natch, I always love anything scribed about the sea, especially:
“My Beautiful Best Friend I’ve never met
loves (and lives) by the Californian ocean.
I know her so far only through starry glass
and violin sparkles of the eyes and heart.”
Yea, Moi! Oh, the fourth thing that always rocks, without fail … Miss Jannie from Texas!!
Btw, I’m easier to find now; I’ve combined all my Jenny goodness into one tasty place, my Amazon Author Page (for now, until jennypop.net launches):
https://www.amazon.com/author/jenniferdevore
Ciao, Bella!
On 6 December 2011 at 11:41 am
Aimee said,
Oh! I like this! All the disguises the poet dons. Brilliant.
On 6 December 2011 at 11:42 am
Glenn Buttkus said,
This piece rocks like a funster band on
a Saturday night while the joint jumps
to a TX two-step, shoulder to shoulder,
boot to boot, butt to butt.
Again, your poetry improves by the
week, the minute; but how do you
submit to dVerse several hours before
they open up Mr. Linky? You just write
in advance, and pop it in when the poet’s
pub officially opens at 3 p.m. EST?
You seem to surround yourself in poets,
Miss “yellow rose of TX”, and that is
something I have always dug about
Funsterland, and Funsterville; it is
lousy with poets, like fire ants in
the park, like pecan trees marching
toward the horizon.
I love your line: /all so content
in their gardens of paper and ink/
may have to borrow it for a Tweet.
On 6 December 2011 at 11:45 am
Erick Flores said,
Very convincing. Such nice imagery!
Erick Flores
On 6 December 2011 at 12:50 pm
Talon said,
Thank heavens for poets
xxx
On 6 December 2011 at 1:39 pm
Jannie said,
Ahhh, dudes and dudettes — how lovely to see you all!!
Dearest Brian, this started with the first 2 basic verses about a month ago. And the naked roller skating was added in yesterday!!
Kinda weird, but hey, if you can’t take a chance in writing — what CAN you take a chance in. 
Dearest Eric, I was saying to my kiddo last night — if you are creating art of any kind and love it, and are “a little weird “in the process, then you know you’re doing something right for you and the world! Follow your heart to lovers’ quarrels with the world — or better yet, love affairs with all the beauty, fun and good things in the world. There ya go!!
Dearest Lynn — do you get those naked roller skaters in Atlanta too??
Here in Austin the tofu / beet / turnip muffins are the latest rage. 
yeah, hold that tofu on mine too.
Dearest Jennifer… hope you dont mind me calling you by just your first name, do you? Am I rude? Trader Joes. Trader Joes. I do believe I may have been there in Santa Barbara. LOVE Santa Barbara!! Carmel’s not too bad either. yes, my love, you and I and the sea… 7 or 8 of the songs we’re recording now mention the sea in passing, partly or overwhelminging.
Ahhhh, ahhh, ahhhh, I scroll down to see a poem for an angel, left by an angel. Ahhhhhhhh, so sweet of you!! ooooooo. ALL the Jenny goodness in ONE place. I’m freaking smiling at that!! Coming over for latte, spanikopita and GIANT glazed donuts soon!!!
Dearst Aimee, yes, all the grunt work of life we poets must survive to get to our paper and ink gardens.
All the wonder we must take in whilst posing in roles of humans. 
Dearest Glennie-Bo_Benny, well…. Jannie is not ALWAYS in a poetry mood, but when Jannie is, she writes whatever feels must come out. Many poems get saved in drafts. And getting close to Tuesday if Jannie does not have a masterpiece pop out of her that instant… Jannie peruses her drafts for something yummy. So yes….. I do “plan” some of these. Yes, I DO surround myself with all you poets, as you well know, since I crashed your site, and lured you over here over 3 years ago now. You and Doug wondered “Who the hell IS this crazy woman????!!”
Tweet away! yes, you tweet so I don’t have to. Not that I do much anyway….. 
Dearest Erik Flores — well, thanks so much. I do try to state my heart and soul’s case in poetry on occasion!! Some times I belly flop. But this poem seems to be one I like!
Dearest Talon, I still have an epic poem in drafts about the hi-falutin’ blogging “judge” guy who said… ” You probably don’t need all the bells and whistles in a blog if you’re ONLY going to be posting poems to your blog.” Dear Sir, what if you’re ONLY going to be posting songs, recipes, or instructions on how to remove chocolate from white linen?? What if you’re ONLY going to be eating, breathing and loving for the rest of your life? Anyway, started on a bit of a rant here,escuse me. But yes, I agree — poets ARE everywhere, and along with love and donuts, rule the world!!
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 6 December 2011 at 2:05 pm
Laura Hegfield said,
I love your then and now comparisons Jannie…we just keep finding new ways and places to express the same old human emotions!
On 6 December 2011 at 2:12 pm
Kellie Elmore said,
Sounds like me here…
Poets dreaming
in every hayfield,
carpentry shop,
and apple tree in
every village since
Cromagnon Mike
fell for the moon,
Lovely entry to OLN!!! Thanks for sharing!
Kellie
Follow me! @BackyardPonders
On 6 December 2011 at 2:19 pm
laurie kolp said,
Yes times have changed, but some things remain the same- our love of poetry.
On 6 December 2011 at 2:20 pm
Mike Sutcliffe (Poetryman) said,
Wow love the movement of time and the passing of ages ~ yet we’re still the same ~ loved it!
On 6 December 2011 at 2:31 pm
Margaret said,
…roller skating naked… with hot coffee in their hands… ha! watch out for the sidewalk cracks!
I LOVE “Cromagnon “Mike” fell for the moon
and
Sure as Heaven is stitched into everything good.
and see what I mean.
We aren’t FUNDAMENTALLY all that different from the first human being.
Lovely as always, Jannie Funster!
On 6 December 2011 at 2:33 pm
Daydreamertoo said,
Poets roller skating naked… where???? hehehe… yes indeed where there’s life, there’s poetry! ~Smiles
On 6 December 2011 at 2:34 pm
Daydreamertoo said,
Fantastic picture too (Btw)
On 6 December 2011 at 2:38 pm
Pat Hatt said,
Wow this one you truly hit a home run with. Definitely one of my favorites I’ve seen from you. Poets here, poets there, no need to play where’s waldo because poets are everywhere..hahaha
On 6 December 2011 at 2:39 pm
Caty said,
oh, I like this…poets then, now, and forever
Love the way this is weaved
On 6 December 2011 at 2:49 pm
Emily said,
Love this one! I gotta go now, and dig out some roller skates!
On 6 December 2011 at 3:04 pm
Jannie said,
WOW, it IS amazing to get such a high spot in Mr. Linky!!! So many comments, so fast, whooohooo.
I hope I will have time to answer you all separately this week.
I think I WILL!!
Thank you so much for your words and you know I’ll make it over to your poem to comment sooner than later!!!
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
On 6 December 2011 at 4:25 pm
ayala said,
I love this,
poets everywhere.
A lovely write.
If there were more poets the world would be a better place!
xo
On 6 December 2011 at 4:38 pm
Claudia said,
there were crazy poets at all times…lovers of the word..you captured them so well…the roller skating naked with caramel mocha lattes cracked me up…almost spit my drink (no mocha latte…smiles) across the screen…long live the poets..smiles
On 6 December 2011 at 5:15 pm
Fred said,
Jannie, Love the retrospection here. Outstanding post, lots of great pieces to reflect upon on the past and how the past eventually leads to the future, but the poetry has somehow moved on, adapted, yes, but still alive. Thanks
On 6 December 2011 at 5:41 pm
Audrey Howitt said,
Well–I am so glad that I stumbled upon you! Loved, loved this piece–it feels so alive to me!
On 6 December 2011 at 6:45 pm
Heather Grace Stewart said,
Loved this poem so much – the theme, the rhythm – wonderful. Also loved, ‘Oh my freaking cow!’ Enjoy being #2 ~ I’ll still visit you when you’re #112.
On 6 December 2011 at 7:25 pm
Ravenblack said,
You’ve shown the connection between everyone and poets in this one. Very nice.
I think everyone is a poet too, their medium is not always words. Enjoyed reading your poem very much.
On 6 December 2011 at 7:47 pm
Heaven said,
I do like that we see poetry everywhere from the mundane things to ships to closets. And i do like the image of poets laughing ~
Happy day ~
On 6 December 2011 at 8:09 pm
mrs mediocrity said,
i LOVE it! yes, poets always, everywhere. but oh my, some of those images, just wonderful.
On 6 December 2011 at 8:24 pm
colleen said,
I was once a poet in a factory painting fire alarms and writing poems on napkins. I like the contrast here from then to now. Some things have changed but not the poet who sees and has to tell.
On 6 December 2011 at 9:06 pm
kaykuala said,
Yes, Jannie! Poets are everywhere but always on the cold front before. Whereas pirates gallivant the high seas and others made the world go round! Gladly things changed with modern times and responses are immediate. Great write!
Hank
On 6 December 2011 at 10:04 pm
Charles Elliott/Beautyseer said,
Love it! Apparently we poets are as ubiquitous as actors waiting tables in L.A.!
Thanks for the button, too, dear Jannie!
On 6 December 2011 at 10:08 pm
Steve Elsaesser said,
JANNIE…I am NOT getting naked and taking coffee to Brian, so THERE! (He can get his OWN dammmm coffee–grin!)
Poets, and poetry everywhere! What a wonderful observation, most calming. Poets are God’s own news reporters, in a language He certainly understands.
This morning I told a couple guys that I write poetry. They said loudly, YOU? HAHA! NEVER!! So I replied, as only a poet might, “GO FUCK A DUCK!” And they then said, “Hey, you ARE a poet.” (True story)
I love your thought-filled writings, dear!
PEACE!
On 6 December 2011 at 10:21 pm
Daisy said,
“Now there are poets
dancing with ghosts
in computers and
poets texting from
palaces and planes.”
I love that part! Wonderful post, Jannie!
On 7 December 2011 at 8:11 am
Natasha said,
What a theme song! Fantastic pen Ms. Funster…and so very pleased and honored to have read this for OpenLinkNight where we all grow to be poets. It is you who rocks hardest for me this evening!
On 7 December 2011 at 9:43 am
Jannie said,
whoooohooooo. Jannie is IN the house! TG, ’cause it was freezing last night. Yep, ice on the palm trees.
Dearest Laura, yes the beauty of creativity keeps poets saying things in new ways, with no end in sight, I think!
Ahhh, thanks Kellie. Up in apple trees is such a great place to write. I WILL follow you on Twitter, even tho I’m hardly ever on there.
But one day maybe I’ll be a worldclass Tweeter!!
That’s it Dearest Lori Kolp! Poets just keep on a-coming into this world, TG!
Dearest Mike — yep! long may we poets continue to live and write — as if we could ever be stopped, eh?!
Margaret, Dearest, I see those naked ones out at Hippie Hollow. It’s amazing how they handle those cracks with ease. Some I even see doing 360s and nary a drop of coffee spilt.
Love you,l Girl!!And how about this song… “CraMagnon Mike, he’s the kinda guy I like!” 
A good song to develop maybe? 
DayDreamer — naked roller skating ANYWHERE you can imagine! Started out in San Francisco, of course!
Yes, that is a painting. And I can’t find the link now to attribute it to. But I hope to eventually!
Ahhhh, thanks Pat — I should write more like this, eh??!! I’m sure I can find more in me like this! Hopefully? I did forget ot mention about the poets in outer space.
Play Waldo. 
Ahh, thanks Dearest Caty — I wove this just for YOU, you know!! Cause I knew you’d like this one!
Yep, poetry now and past eternity indeed. Poets in stars, cars and bars. 
Dearest Emily! As much fun as skinny-dipping.
Little chilly in winter, tho. Unless in the house, of course. 
Dearest me — whooohooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dearest Dearest Dearest Ayala… YES, if more people looked through eyes of poetry at the world, what an even awesomer place it would be, indeed!!
Claudia, Dearest — that’s why I put that poets laughing line right after the naked roller skating. I knew a lot of you WOULD laugh, so it was like us sitting there together having a good old chuckle at the coffee shop. Hope your computer did not sustain too much liquid damage at your projectile mirth?
Fred — YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS, Poetry lives!!! It has not been surpressed by any of our technology or human shennanigans. In fact, technology allows us to be sharing right here IN THIS MOMENT. Freaking awesome, or what??
Now….. Jannie is going to pour a second cup of joe.
And be back here later!
xoxooxoxoxoxo
On 7 December 2011 at 10:08 am
Mama Zen said,
I love this! But, I take my caramel mocha latte with all the fat I can get.
On 7 December 2011 at 11:17 am
Jannie said,
So….. lovely and interesting peeps…
With Mieshka keeping my lap warm on this sunny day…
Well, Dearest Audrey Howitt– I am so glad TOO that you stumbled in here off the poetry street. Welcome! And from alive human to another — yay!! let’s be new BFFs okay? Well, I think we already are!!
Dearest Heather Grace, who has a lovely name evoking both heath and heaven… thank you. Yah, I usually say “HOLY freaking cow,” but this is an impromptu version. Ahhhh, you’ll still visit me when I’m #112.
Made me smile so with my heart, thanks.
Ravenblack! Ravenblack! My buddy. who reminds me you are about next of 2nd next to get a sidebar button. I think I have now done all for my “Early Blobbing. and BLOGGING!! Buddies.” Pretty-much all the FFF55 bunch (but I think I’ll check back a bit in G-Man’s archives and see who I missed there.) I know I’ve probably missed some here and there, which breaks my heart a little to think I may have forgotten one… the One Stop Poetry gang. And now dVerse. And the Universe!!!!!
The universe of poets rambling attics, stashed in closets and drinking beer up in apple trees. Anyway… what were you saying? Ah yes, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE what you say and agree. Each person is a poem. Each smile and good thought from each of us a celebration of creative love that’s knows no ending and no beginning.
HEAVEN is here! Love you, Heaven!
Did you laugh at the naked roller skating too?? 
I love the idea of laughing anybody. We should be sure to laugh at least 50 times a day!!
Ahhhhh, Mrs. Mediocrity!! How awesome to see you back. And I wonder what AMAZING lines you gift us with this week. Really think you are a world-class writer! And photographer. Yep, poetry — another of God’s gift to glorify everything. Along with the visual arts, music, theatre and pastry!!!
COLLEEN!!!! I was just thinking about you earlier today, wondering how you are. And here you are, yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Always feel like every sheep is finally into the fold when you visit. Not that you are a sheep, I don’t mean that. Just that I treasure you as part of my blogging group. I LOVE your comment! Did you get to spray paint those alarms? Sounds kinda interesting. My first job I was a poet washing dishes and floors. I like to sing the Stones “Angie” as I mopped, sometimes! 
Other tunes too, but I do remember singing that a few days in a row. 
And sweet dudes, I am off to E-Mail and e-Bay now!!
See everyone back here for another episode of “Jannie Answers Comments” later!
xoxoxoxo
On 7 December 2011 at 11:39 am
Linda said,
Quite a wonderful poem, once I sat still long enough and stayed on the same screen for more than 2 seconds. Sometimes it takes me a while just to read one post because I flip-flop around so much, then jumping up to do something right in the middle of something else. You know how it goes.
I love that picture, too. So majestic!
On 7 December 2011 at 11:57 am
suzen said,
Hey girl, this was FANTASTIC! You seem to out-do yourself with every poem/song you write!
hugs
suZen
On 7 December 2011 at 3:29 pm
Jannie said,
Well, I thought my life was complete, but know now I KNOW it is!! Just figured out which button to press in eBay to SCHEDULE an auction. Thank you, Lord. I know you are on my side. I’m ready for a glass of wine and some snacks in the bathtub after THAT mental ordeal. And will, after I say hello here.
HANK!! Yeah, pretty cool — this instant communication. A little faster than sending post across seas in clipper ships or cross countries by Pony express.
Glad you enjoyed, my man! Well not MY man, as I already have one. And 1 is plenty — too much at times. 
CHARLES!! Good way to put it. How many in 100 people do you think write poetry? I think 3 or 4 in 100! Oh, and you are very welcome for your button! Hope you like it.
STEVE!! Brian will be crushed at first, but will get over it just fine and dandy in time.
OOooo, love that “God’s own reporters.” Nice one! He loves the carpenters, broccoli farmers and rock bolters too, but yes, I think we poets do hold high favor in his loving court!! And next time you can add onto that rhyme.. Go Fuck a duck in a pick-up truck, I say!! 
DAISY, Dearest Sweet Daisy, and those dancing ghosts led me to such beautiful souls as YOU!! LOVE them ghosts. Thank you, my dear.
NATASHA, Dearest! Well, I write these for YOU, you know!!! My bluenose sister. Glad you appreciated this one!
MAMA ZEN!!! That totally freaking cracked me. UP!!! You skinny thing, you!
LINDA!! Yes, so many cyber screens and options. Multiple browsers open at once sometimes. E-mail. What’s a brain to do? Sounds like you need a nice bath to relax in, and a tree to climb and drink wine in — but not necessarily in that order.
Take it easy, my friend. And LAUGH a lot today, okay??!! xoxo
SUZEN — oh crap, now I have to live up to my self-topping reputation!!
But I’ll do it just for YOU, because you are so sweet and love me so much. And maybe I can outdo myself once in a while. 
Glad you liked this! I think it was the Irish potato farmer girl sailing across the Atlantic coming out of me in this. 
On 7 December 2011 at 3:31 pm
Jannie said,
Oh, and about the painting….. it is the Cutty Sark, I think?
Tried re-Googling but can’t pull the exact pic back up. Funny.
Beautiful ship. But actually looks like a LOT of work to be on and help operate.
Think I’ll stay right here on land a while.
xoxooxoxoox
On 7 December 2011 at 10:46 pm
Patricia of Patricias Wisdom said,
Congratulations on your honor…and for brilliant postal deliveries…and humor and alliterations….and just being yourself
I really liked this one…truly Thank you
On 7 December 2011 at 11:15 pm
Shashi said,
Its so lovely and i enjoyed reading this one first thing in the morning… Loved the image as well…
Shashi
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com/2011/12/whispers-buddha-song.html
At Twitter @VerseEveryDay
On 8 December 2011 at 4:02 am
SnaggleTooth said,
There were alot of poets reading your poem too…
I could just visualize them all oozing out of everywhere to fill the world…
Very fun read
On 8 December 2011 at 6:04 am
secret agent woman said,
I guess poets must carry on with life in all its fun and drudgery. Maybe because there’s a little poet in all of us.
On 8 December 2011 at 7:47 am
Jannie said,
Four Comments. Four Comments. Four comments in the night!!!!!!
whoooohooooo
So…..
PATRICIA!! My honor? Have I been a gal of honor? Oh yes — my SECOND PLACE on MISTER LINKY!!!!! I was AMAZED. Last week I kept… NO, last week I forgot and at 2:10 came in about 36th linker. But the week before that, as I recall, I made 17th place — even with F-5-ing and F-5-ing. You just never know.
And above I almost wrote “I made number two at dVerse.” but that number Two, and me making it… well… it just didnt’ quite sound right. 
If ya know what I mean. So, my fellow poet… I was wondering the other day where your original reel-to-reel is? Oh, and sorry I didn’t get to use beautiful stamps on your post. But another day I shall, on pretty stationery, of course. Ahhh, thanks for being YOU — lucky Jannie!!
SHASHI!!! SO GOOD to see you again, my new BCB — Best Cyber Buddy. Thanks for leaving your link. I plan on getting around to enjoy some blogs tonight, and tomorrow morning. Ahhh, so glad you enjoyed! And yes, I love that pic, as I envision it sailing West across the Atlantic. Such lovely lighting in it — and the WAVES, hard to believe that’s really a painting!! Om to you!!!
SNAGGLE!!! OMG, I was so thinking about you this morning, and how I’ve been missing your blog. Visited Lynn yesterday. And thinking about you and what you’ve posted. Ahh, so glad you enjoyed this. YOU are one of my fave poets.
SECRET AGENT WOMAN! You must really love me — commenting on TWO posts!!!!
Thank you. Fun and drudgery, sounds like life. But the wise ones say we’re supposed to find fun IN the drudgery, like singing while peeling potatoes. And dancing at the table while writing checks for bills? 
And yes, a little poet in every person. And the Universe one big ongoing poem.
xoxoxoxoxo
On 8 December 2011 at 7:51 am
Dr. J said,
That’s a really special poem, Jannie!
I love that painting! It’s much like I had hoped to do when I first started painting in middle school. Of course I couldn’t paint like that at all, so I became discouraged and eventually became a doctor, which I could do.
However, the desire to be an artist would never leave me so I was pulled back into that dream, but now with the ability to hide my deficiencies and please myself
On 8 December 2011 at 8:17 am
Jannie said,
Dearest Dr. J! I am ALL about hiding my deficiencies!!
Art-wise, I know I’ll never rise above “Stick men” quaility. That’s why I am SO happy I discovered my Corel PaintPro (”photoshop”) 18 months ago. Let’s me visually express what my own hands with pencil or paint won’t let me.
THAT painting is freaking AMAZING. Most peeps would think it’s a photo. Not many can paint like this.
And not many have the skill, patience and sheer “je ne sais quoi” to doctor.
Yes, I must say (with greatest humility, of course,) I like this poem too!!!!
xoxoxoxoxox
On 8 December 2011 at 2:17 pm
Dr. J said,
I originally thought it might be a photo, so I looked for the artist’s signature
On 8 December 2011 at 6:23 pm
G-Man said,
Maritimers…..hehehehehe
On 9 December 2011 at 7:56 am
Jannie said,
Dr J. — you done good on that!!!
G-Man, yep, that’s me!! The Wild Irish of New Brunswick.
xooxxo
Now…. will Jannie post a little something new today? Hmmmn, maybe… let’s go and see.
xooxoxox
On 12 December 2011 at 1:26 pm
Alice Audrey said,
Poets today certainly have a cushy life.
On 14 December 2011 at 1:49 am
Jannie said,
Funny lady, AA!! But pretty true. Much cushiness in many professions.
xooxoxo