The type and characteristics of poetry, as well as, the manner in which poetry expresses insight embody the essence of spiritual philosophy.  If one seeks to "understand" a particular spiritual philosophy (such as Zen Buddhism) one could do worse than turn to its arts, most especially poetry.

The disquisitions of poetry itself are as plentiful and diverse as there are thoughts of spirituality or sexuality.

Our understanding and appreciation of language expands when we explore poetric forms and techniques. From abecedarian to villanelle, poems themselves are great for reference or for sharpening both your reading and writing skills.  But there is some basic knowledge that is helpful.

What's the difference between denotation and connotation -- what about general meaning?  

• denotation: the dictionary meaning of a word
• connotation: the implied or suggested meaning connected with a word
• literal meaning: limited to the simplest, ordinary, most obvious meaning
• figurative meaning: associative or connotative meaning; representational

Language can be functional.  Language can also be elegant.  Poetry offers opportunity to explore the Four Noble Truths.  Poetry is an exceptional vehicle to pursue the Eightfold Path.  If you are curious about form, devices, or meter, I encourage anyone to take a concept and express it poetically.

The effort is art...

For more information:  On Writing Poetry, Poetry 101 - How to Read a Poem, Forms and Techniques

oh how i weep not
for that which I have lost
but unto a course of mine choosing
a measure which drew deaths gaze
and unearthly kiss
i do stagger in the the baneful light
upon knowing what was can never again be
oh how i weep not
for that which i have lost
but for the beast i fear become

echoing musings, ravings in time
a brother in sin, a sister in crime
with my reflection, I cannot be free
turning for comfort, my shadow I see
my wispy image, knowing where I've been
carries my burden, it matters not when
stepping from lighting, my mirror is neigh
leaving the worldly, traveling to die
from alley to crypt, is now where I roam
entering darkness, my soul is at home

I am so lonely, I am alone.
Sadness sucks at me down to the bone.
I'm filled with regret, I have no hope.
Shame covers me til I cannot cope.
Full of self-loathing, I bleed release.
Kiss'd of medsin I want for peace.
There is no magic, I want to die.
It is all impermanent, why try?

From your throat her name doeth flow
Through birth to death to birth you know
The streets she dump'd you wander wyld
Leaving dazed a kinder child
In search for truth but finding none
Come up empty look for one
Reason for living in a death tight grip
Flailing instead in a madness slip
In your ears our brood doeth scream
Bring blood boil and tears of steam
From birth to death to birth you know
A gutter rages behind you low
Your body died but lived again
With the gift you're damned to sin
Take the lead and give up the
Way of ways as given me
Find your own and give this gift
Though only worthy to have our lift
From birth to death to birth we find
The gift of darkness will blow their mind.

Running,
empty of hope, with my space,
too cluttered to contemplate the void,
yearning to be filled.
Satisfaction,
fulfillment capacity, a joy I can not share,
of loving myself beyond the simple material pleasures,
surrounded by meaningless icons of success.
Rage,
unbridled doubt, pumped fat with fear,
narrows a tunnel before my eyes growing wide,
spirals and spins me into despair.
Pain,
in my heart, in my head,
thickly choking my willingness to try,
reaching for, grasping at remaining breath.
Payment,
for mistakes made, not knowing me,
despite not knowing myself,
beyond the tyranny of my own mind cage.
Crying,
caring, burning yearning,
unable to stop the chittering-chattering,
within the rattle box between my ears.
Fear,
overwhelming abuse, double-edged sword,
desperately feeding on the septic edge of sanity,
keeping in check Reaper's unscheduled hand.

For millennium, humanity has maintained fascination with the mysterious, yet often considers intelligent exploration to be taboo. I pity those that blindly turn away from madness out of ignorance or fear.

It is in the exploration of chaos (or perhaps one might suggest lunacy) that more concrete definitions of sanity may be clarified or defined.

Clearly, one does not need to witness evil to better understand good -- that is not my thesis. I do not reject the amorphous socialization and cultural guidelines, but it is worth exploring the question. Society should always challenge assumptions and question perception. There is no harm in fantasy of the mind...to gaze beyond the fringe. A society must be open to possibility. A society must always to be willing to embrace change. Change is a constant...change will happen -- with or without willingness.

For now, I believe, I live in a world of darkness. I live in a society, by and large, unwilling to embrace change. We are a society filled with famine, greed, hate, bigotry and deceit. But, I have hope. I also believe in the few blossoms; the few seedlings of enlightenment that continue embrace change and explore the spectrum of possibility.

Are you a seedling?