I Speak Not #153 In Top 500 Poems On 15th July 2021 Poem by Bharati Nayak

Editedon 26th May2020This poem is my first poem on Poem Hunter and it is among the top 500 classical poems.But it holds a special place in my heart as it represents the love, care, appreciation and friendship of thousands of readers and poets who have read it and many have written their impressions.As a poet what more one desires! Today I received an appreciation on this poemfrom Daniel Brick through his mail and I will like to share- -RE " I will not speak" (I hope that's the correct title.) " Hi across the continents BharatiThis poem touched a nerve in so many many readers. It's simply amazing that this poem reached so many in the core of their being: The poem is deeply heart-felt and readers' responses are equally heart felt.I was drawn to it by the title alone. I felt the cognitive dissonance of a poet claiming she will not speak. Then how will she write if she has not talked through her feelings and attitudes? Speech equals conversation and conversation inspires our creativity.Those were my thoughts as I entered the space of this poem. Once INSIDE THE POEM I was aware of thestrength of your voice in the " speaking" of this poem. There's not a false word, the poem speaks economical-ly and truthfully. " The truth and nothing but the truth" - that's how we swear our words are truthful in a law court. Poetry is much older than law courts and it demands our honesty. But being truthful is risky, you make yourself vulnerable. Not to worry - 306 poets at PH read this poem, and were moved to share their delight with you the author and other PH readers including me. All these readers are your protectors. We all protect esch other at PH. Of course, your words are ironical in this poem. You are not really falling silent forever. But by asserting your farewell to poetry, you emphasize how important SELF-EXPRESSION is for our mental and spiritual well-being. We know poetry will always cling to you, it will never abandon you, your voice over the years has assumed its poetic purpose, it will never abandon poetry." From Daniel Brick