When first I decided to include some of my poetry within my pages, I had the hardest time deciding which poem I'd lead off with! I have quite a bit (Haven't bought a greeting card that I've left unembellished in over 30 years!) and I wanted to be representative; I also wanted to lead in with those I most loved...WHO'S FIRST, THEN?!? My dad...mom...milady...the kids...my collective friends...I've written for them all over the years. Therefore, I decided to lead in with something I just call "Why Poetry?!?".

WHY POETRY?!?

Why do I write what I write when I write?!?
It's so often a mere case of wont;
When emotion has given my heart or mind plight,
I must fight back with format and font!!!

With rhyming and timing and aesthetic aligning
I often fill page after page after page;
With loving or liking...at times just with whining...
Sometimes with the bitterest rage!!!

With sadness or gladness or a lover's sweet madness,
I scribble...word-process...I've typed and I've drawn;
But no matter the medium, it's always success,
If, once completed, the conflict is gone!!!

Then, on special occasions, I oft shun convention;
I rarely buy prewritten cards full of rhyme.
So often, it's likely they'll fail to make mention
Of specific fine traits...or some memorable time!!!

My family...my friends..."Much too special!!!", I say;
We share love that mere words can't, but feebly, express.
We share laughter and tears...working hard or at play;
Intertwined lives with such detail one needs to address!!!

Then, finally, as with music, sweet words can form prayer,
A vent...and a tap...for your immortal soul;
And, when words, and their cadence, originate there,
They can't help but to help make your life whole!!!


What follows are links to a preliminary collection of my poetry for various occasions (Copyright © Ray Hamilton---ALWAYS! Any reproduction, in whole or in part, is theft, and will not be tolerated!!!); I have much...it will grow...if you enjoy the preliminaries, visit often!


[ AGING ]
[ EULOGY ]
[ FATHER's DAY ]
[ RARE FOLK ]