Here are contributions No. 9 and No. 10 on “Why Poetry Matters” that were submitted for the poetry and wine giveaway last month. I combined them in one post because of their brevity (short but definitely succinct). The randomly chosen commenter received a copy of L.L. Barkat’s InsideOut: Poems, and the winner of the 100-word statements on what poetry matters received a copy of the poems and a bottle of Sineann wine.

First, a poem from Noj Rotsap (which I think you might have to read backwards):

Why Poetry Matters

Reading poetry
is important
many ways.
Chief of
which
is the
fact that poems
birth creative
musings in our hearts.

Next, from Megan Willome:

Why Poetry Matters

I start each writing day with “The Writers Almanac” (a project of National Public Radio hosted by Garrison Keillor). I also keep an ever-expanding collection of favorite poems. Lately, I’ve been reading poetry online, especially through connections made through High Calling Blogs. Although I have not published any poetry, writing it has helped me to cope with my mother’s cancer.

I think of poetry as a postcard – a graphic depiction of deep thoughts. But Garrison Keillor said it best in the collection Good Poems. “Stickiness, memorablity, is one sign of a good poem.”

May all your poems be good ones!