Is free form poetry really "just" words and lines?

Question

"JUST" Words and Lines

To Buk,

who writes "just"

words and lines.

To beggar on street

from pockets you share

say you, "it's just cash?"

To sibling on gurney

awaiting your organ

say you, "it's just a kidney?"

To nursing home aged

who's felt not a touch

say you, "it's just a hug?"

To despondent mother

hoping for miracle

say you, "it's just a prayer?"

To Creator of sun

with life giving force

say you, "it's just a star?"

To lovers of words

so moved by your mind

say you, "it's just words...

and lines?"

Surely, you dare

not say so to us.

ma

Answer 1

All words mean something to someone.

by Jellz (probably been said before by someone else)

Buk is a humble man, whose gift is to write of his version of reality, reaches people with it. That humility is a fresh idea for a lot of people.

His free verse speaks of the man. To format him would be to limit him. please don't do that. it doesn't seem right.

His lines and words are just.

Answer 2

Our dear Elaine,

hates the word just,

calls it weak,

and I,

I never realized

'til I saw her

wisdom...

words are never "just"

anything,

for words

are brought forth

from the heart...

Answer 3

To praise this poem feels awkward.

But I am left with no other choice.

Answer 4

I said recently that his light brightens the darkness like the Full Moon. And your light brightens the hearts of Mars.

Answer 5

This is ONLY me

with ONLY one thought on this matter

which must have ONLY JUST slipped my mind..

I will say this instead...

words spoken in anger can never be retracted. So if it is ONLY words then why do they hurt so much..

Answer 6

Liked the poem, but it kinda confused me as far as what you're saying vs my perception of free form poetry.

It's one thing to have poetry that is free of form, and another to have poetry that forms freely, y'know?

To me, this poem isn't free of form, it has a form and organization, even if I don't know how to describe its organization in academic terms.

I'm so used to people writing like William Shatner talks...

in sentences that

  are broken

up almost at random

there's no rhyme or

       reason

I get so tired of it. So if this is what free form poetry is supposed to be, then vive la difference!

Saul

Answer 7

I like this Ma!

How powerful that *just* can be to those on the receiving end.

Answer 8

  Thanks Ma...I haven't blinked back a tear in quite awhile. I needed that.

Answer 9

i like any form of a poem as long as i can get a rhythm going

Answer 10

As the song goes--Your just to wonderful, too wonderful for words.To care enough, to share enough.Well done, I loved it.

Answer 11

Very nice poem, enjoyable, yet to me and I am no master, "just " to

my ears the last two lines don't seem to fit.

Answer 12

http://www.uni.edu/~gotera/CraftOfPoetry...

Here, ma, check this one out.

Answer 13

I'd never say that to you, ma. What appears as "just" words and lines to one can mean everything to another. Its importance shouldn't be downplayed or belittled. Like musical notes, what's important is how they are assembled in relationship to other words and lines -that's what makes a song a song and poetry poetry.

I always cringe at the term "just friends" used as if there were any more meaningful relationship than friendship. Friendship is the art of love, and words communicate emotions.

"Of a lover and a friend, the one who by definition loves you is called a friend".  

Answer 14

Ma

that is wonderful, thank you