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If I could write just one,

A poem to last through time.

To take pen to paper and make,

A poetic reputation mine.

 

To find the words I need,

To tell a message bold.

To have my poems in poetic history,

For future generations to behold.

 

To know poetry lovers feel,

My poems are worth a read.

To know they seek them out by my name,

For their poetry hunger to feed.

 

To know they hold them in their hands,

Not wanting to put them down.

To feel some pride in realizing,

My poems are being found.

 

To walk among the Masters,

Those Eternals already known,

To accept a place beside them,

As they sit on the Poet’s Throne.

 

These are the things I wish to have,

Before I rest in peace.

These and to write a poem for the ages,

Just One Solo Masterpiece.

 

 

Henry Lansing Woodward

August 30, 2020