To know a poem
by heart
is to know
in the biblical sense
making love
as more than an intercourse of bodies -
to enter the mind of the poet
is an intercourse of souls
to know a poem
by heart
is to slow down
to the heart's time
to recite a poem
from the heart
is to be the poet
to pay homage to intensity
to enter eternity
to find solace for sorrows
spurs for endeavour
serotonin for blues
endorphins for bliss
learning a poem every day
is the stations of the cross
a throng of sub-personalities
a throb of sympathy
for every mood
a poem at your side
through the valley and the shadows
in the day, in the night
a polymorphic, polygamous, orgiastic
communion of poetry.
Nicholas Albery
1948-2001
