I never studied poetry br not even that well read, br I couldn't tell a Tennyson br from a Yeats' or Keats', br I oft' read Poe instead. br Is it the message br or just the way words flow, br is it the images br that are conjured as we go? br What is it that captivates br the mind. as it is wed, br to the words sublime, br that sound within the head? br br No it is not this. br br It is when the music br in the poet's soul br reaches out with verse br and pierces to my very heart br beyond the sound of words, br releasing this reader br from his mortal coil br and transporting him br to where that music plays, br before it's covered by my thoughts.