POEM: "Bard" by William Everson

I first became aware of this poet and this particular poem
by way of my friend and fellow traveler/singer-songwriter
Michael Kelly Blanchard. He said simply, "This is you."
One of the kindest encouragements I have ever received
in my almost-whole-lifetime of attempted artistry.


Bard
William Everson
The Blood of the Poet: Selected Poems
(Broken Moon Press ... ISBN 0-913089-42-7)

Sing it. Utter the phrase, the final word.
Make the syllables shout on the page.
The letters form until the line glows and is ringing.
Pursue the illusion. It is sweet to the heart
To think of them listening, to think of them
Thumbing the leaves, the eyes avidly drinking.

You have in your nights the dreams of the older years:
Hearth-side bards in the great halls, singing,
Shouting the tale, chanting the lusty word and the rhyme,
While the warriors stared, the women hushed and not breathing.

It is fine for the heart to think of oneself as the Voice,
The Pointer of Ways.
It is warm in the chest to think of them listening.
Sing the phrase and fashion the line;
Hug the sweet dream in the lonely dusks when the far planes
whine in the sky and the west deadens.
It is good to the heart, it is fine in the chest to think of them listening.