How I conceptualize Poems is that they come from the heart, they're unique pieces that become fathomed into words chosen by the individual that best represents the image of one's thoughts.

Most of us appreciate poems in today's modern music and songs. However, I still feel as if poems from forgotten poets had such vivid details and underlying meanings can really help us as individuals learn how to abstract an essence of these thoughts and imagery. Not to imply that music today doesn't have meaning and depth but I like to acknowledge the prior souls that have come before us.

Poems are written in depth and has a story behind each intent of the poem. Rumi (a 13th-century Persian poet, scholar, and theologian) wrote most of his poems are known to connect to the heart, emotions, and instincts. For example, a poem called 'Be Lost In The Call' has the message of learning how to see the true image of ourselves by wiping away the dirt and grime to see a clear reflection of ourselves facing back at us. Learning to be selfless and true to ourselves in this prism of time we are trapped in.

An excerpt from this poem reads,

"...Reality replied: O prisoner of time
I was a secret treasure of kindness and generosity,
and I wished this treasure to be known,
so I created a mirror: its shining face, the heart;
its darkened back, the world;
The back would please you if you've never seen the face.

Has anyone ever produced a mirror out of mud and straw?
Yet clean away the mud and straw,
and a mirror might be revealed.

Until the juice ferments a while in the cask,
it isn't wine. If you wish your heart to be bright,
you must do a little work...."

(http://www.rumi.org.uk/poems.html)

Another poet named whom most would know is Edgar Allen Poe. Some of his work may sound depressing but I personally find it insightful. Also relatable at times and I can understand where he's coming from. That's the best part about finding poems you can connect with. It brings what you already knew, or felt a different feeling or explanation that stays with you even if you end up forgetting the poem.

This excerpt from his poem "For Annie" written in 1984

"...Thank Heaven! the crisis --
The danger is past,
And the lingering illness
Is over at last --
And the fever called "Living"
Is conquered at last.

Sadly, I know
I am shorn of my strength,
And no muscle I move
As I lie at full length --
But no matter! -- I feel
I am better at length..."

(http://poestories.com/read/annie)

Personally, I hit a stage in life where I thought so much about the world and my world within it, I became I suppose cynical of life. Thankfully that hasn't lasted long now that I've come to see things in a different perspective while remembering this feeling of the illness of living. No matter how tired I am, I keep it going at my full length and I am better the farther I go.

Poems are part of the soul crying out to be heard and to be recognized. It's nice to hear what other souls are feelings, sometimes it helps us understand ourselves, sometimes others, the world, a concept, a belief, analogy, etc. We are the only animals to be able to express what we think and feel, may as well try and find something we can understand in this world of confusion.

_Namaste <3_