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David Kirkby's avatar

An interesting and thoughtful meditation, Anu.

Most Poets (and artists too) are great observers. The nature of being a Poet is to see what other people might not, or to see significance in something others might also see - but disregard.

Then a poet goes one step further, from being a witness, to bearing witness - communicating their vision to others in the form of words, spoken or written.

As soon as we do that, we create meaning - often a meaning deeply articulated with emotion, because the nature of being human is to respond to the world with emotion. The emotion is not "in" the words. The emotion is in the reader and yes - I would say just as you said to your friend - it is the reader who ultimately has to find their response inside themselves - happiness, sadness, anger, grief....

From a Vedantic perspective - what does this make the Poet?

And yes, I realise that by saying "I am.. a Poet" I am focussing on a role, but if that role is inherently linked to being a sakshi.... is it just a role?

I have a genuine interest. Strange - but true - I recently took a ride in a taxi and the driver, a most fascinating and sincere man, turned out to be a student, and Teacher, of both the Vedas and of theoretical physics. He was handsome, charismatic, and a compelling intellect, with words of genuine wisdom.

I felt as if the cab was my chariot, and the driver was.......

Well. I'm a Poet. What else could I think?

And there is a poem in that experience, or maybe an entire novel, but I think I need to read the Gita first.

Best Wishes from Australia - Dave :)

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