Just a Random Poem!
The cloning of humans is on most of the lists of things to worry about from Science, along with behaviour control, genetic engineering, transplanted heads, computer poetry and the unrestrained growth of plastic flowers.
— Lewis ThomasWhy Write This?
That is a good question! Well, I am tempted to answer, "Just because!" In fact, that was my preferred title but unfortunately it as already taken.
I usually write poetry with a specific message or lesson in mind that I want to get people to read. That was not the case with this poem. I just needed to write something and despite my urging, my muse didn't come up with any ideas. Luckily there is a category for "nonsense poems" where this piece of writing can comfortably fit.
Sometimes I manage to convey a message without actually trying, so if that is the case and you actually get something from this poem, that is great. If not, well it won't take you long to read this so you won't lose much of your day :)
Just a Random Poem
This is just a random poem,
No message does it preach.
It won't win any accolades,
Few readers will it reach.
It's just to quench my thirst to write
Even though I've nought to say.
Unless I've written down some words
It seems like a wasted day.
Poetry's a funny thing,
The rules are there to break,
Unless you write specific form
But that makes my head ache.
Free verse seems so popular,
Especially in this day.
It gives the writer latitude
To do it all their way.
I sometimes give free verse a try
But prefer to write in rhyme.
It helps add structure to my poems,
And seems to take less time.
When life gets tough or stressful,
And obstacles cause grief,
I just sit down and write a poem.
That gives me some relief.
So maybe that's the reason
I write this poem today,
I'm stressed, depressed, and anxious,
Let's chase those things away.
For anyone who read these words
I thank you from my heart.
I hope it didn't waste your time,
Of that I shan't be part.

Too many people in the modern world view poetry as a luxury, not a necessity like petrol. But to me, it's the oil of life.
— John Betjeman (www.brainyquote.com)© 2017 John Hansen
Comments
Hi John. Loving this poem and the message it delivers. "Just because" is the only reason needed for writing poetry. Having said this, most of my poems are written for a direct purpose. Go figure!
I booked marked this to kick start my next poem. When my thoughts come through they flow in a crazy manner. I try to grab hold of them for a second or two. They slip away as fast a gold fish in water. If one thought stays long enough for me to see it develop I keep dabbling until it sounds right. Then I do what any crazy man would do. I let it fly. As high as it can soar. Then I kick my heals to celebrate. If it flops to the floor. I begin to moan and grown. What happened to you. You had so much promise. I wipe my eyes and turn my sadness to a laugh. Did you see it take off like a rocket and fall faster than a meteorite. That was a sight for sore eyes. What I am trying to tell you is I love your work. You are a master of pulling at ones own heart strings. You still get to mine every time and I have had mine replaced a dozen times. Have one sweet and beautiful night.
Your poem is...creativity in action. That is how I see the poems I write. I never know where my poem will take me. Its amazing you can write poems with a message. You know if you like doing virtue poetry it would be eggcellent for young children especially if they attend Sunday School. Are you and your wife involved with a local church?
The message to me is don't be discouraged, write what you feel because that's how poems are and have a relief! Thanks for the motivation. :)
Hi Jodah. Thanks so much for sharing this poem. It wasn’t a waste of time at all. A good poem. :) Your poem does have a message in some way...Just Because...hehe. And it did involve some thinking and creativitiy. :)
John, for you, writing poetry is as vital to life as each breath you take.
Thank you for breathing on us today! I enjoyed it.
Even when you composed a random poem, ' Just like that' --It came out so well.
I didn't know there is any such category such as, nonsense poems!!
As always I enjoyed your work! Thank you!
It definitely didn't waste my time! I'm all about "just because." I "did" get something out of this, and I believe others should too. It still opened my thoughts to what you were going through this day, and they were things others certainly can relate to.
I like rhyme/lyrical poetry. I think I write this way most of the time myself. I don't like categorically placing my poems in a certain format. I think, and this is just my opinion, that it sometimes ruins the beauty of the process. I believe you write it as it comes to you. Afterwards, you look back, and if you feel it belongs in a certain category type, then place it as such, but if not, it's just as effective and important; maybe more so for me. I like being different! lol...
If I was judged on the way I construct a poem, or the way I categorize it, I don't even want to write it. People who do this do not get the purity of putting inner thoughts and feelings down on paper. They don't know how to dig deep. They just want to be normal! Normal is boring! ;)
Love that poem and the sense of humor! I know just what you mean when you say pick up a pen instead of an axe. This is my get away too!
I know exactly what you mean with -
"It's just to quench my thirst to write
Even though I've nought to say.
Unless I've written down some words
It seems like a wasted day."
This poem pulled the strings in the soul of this obsessive compulsive writer!
Enjoyed reading your poem and I hope the sun soon shines your way and lifts up your spirits.
Nothing you create is ever a waste of time.
I liked your random just because verse. Not a waste of time.
It didn't waste my time. I enjoyed reading your poem. =)
So glad I stumbled on to this, John. I've been off the computer for a few days nursing an infected hand. This kind of expresses my feelings because there's no way I can pick up an ax right now. Love your random thoughts.
Hello John - That had everything a poem needs. Two of which are Rhyme and Reason . Bravo
Yes. I think so too! You're most welcome. :)
Jodah, the poem is lovely as usual. Though it is random, it gives a good message about dealing with stress. Also, I loved the quote, "It is better to take up a pen than an axe."
Great job! Looking forward to reading more poems. :)
Hi John. "Just Because." I like that title, too. And nonsense poems are among my favorites. :-)
"It gives the writer latitude
To do it all their way."
I love this poem and how you incorporate rhyme into a message that is both creative and so clever! Well done.
Hi John,
This is a great poem. I feel the same way about getting a head ache from the structure of formal poetry. LOL. This poem is funny and sweet. :)
Yes, writing is a wonderful outlet indeed, and your poem expresses this wonderfully. I loved your "random" photos and the words beneath them -especially, "It is better to take up a pen than an axe."
The message for me is that poetry (or writing in general) can be cathartic for the writer. Another message is that I shouldn't be discouraged when my Muse wanders off, since yours do too. Surely, I'm not the only one inspired by your honest, meaningful lines. Thanks.
Nice random poem enjoyed reading it.
Awesome poetry that speaks to my heart. BTW . . . I say poetry in the sense it is both the poem and the poet bringing life to words speaking to whom hears. I hear you John and hope I can emulate you soon. I seem to be stuck on structure and lost a bit and a byte of whimsical, magical, and mystical. Perhaps a different muse is whispering and I miss a former muse . . .
Oh man, I know soooo well the urge to write and the lazy muse is taking a vacation. You didn't waste my time. I really liked your rhyme.
Certainly not a waste of time, John! I too find that writing poetry, or just about anything actually, takes my stresses away, maybe because it makes you concentrate on the word itself and all else fades into the background.
You've inspired me to write a quick something; an excuse to publish because I haven't done so for a while....!
Ann
Didn't waste my time, I love your poem! lol! I tend to talk this way sometimes when I am nattering on to my family, I suddenly go into poem so we are on the same level John! LOL!
Like I said yesterday, John, in an earlier comment, I just wish I had an ounce of your poetic talent and just once I could write a poem like this.
Blue Monday. It is a strange concept but apparently there is some reason to it.
I very much like this poem. But I lean toward random.
This seems to me a fine way to combat stress and depressions. To quote a fine person: "It's better to take up a pen than an axe".
No time wasted John. There was actually a lot of heart and substance and it blessed me. I so relate to needing to write when depressed and anxious. Hang in there. Thanks for sharing.
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