In the past, I’ve mentioned to people that wine is like poetry. The responses I’ve received are, well, varied to say the least.

One of my favorite poems is entitled “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer. It’s short, packed with visual images and reminds me of who I am in the final verse: “Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.” And no, I am definitely not the mentioned deity, but am certainly the other named character.

It’s nice to think there’s poetry in wine. Like much of poetry, which can be very complex, wine is a complex liquid. It has variations of colors, scents, flavors and endings. Have a glass of Simple Life Pinot Noir. Savor its simple complexity and you’ll be amazed as you taste its poetry. One doesn’t have to understand everything in a poem to enjoy it. Pick the phrases that interest you and savor them. Similarly, find the “phrases” you like in a wine.

It’s also interesting to see the poetry in our lives. For instance…

I love the tradition of playing catch with our children, and now, our grandchildren. Recently, while playing catch with our son, I realized there was a rhythm to our activity. First, in preparing to throw the ball, there’s the wind up, then the throw, then the positioning to get ready for the return throw, and, finally, the smacking sound of the ball hitting my glove. If I hadn’t needed to pay attention to the tossing, I would have mentally constructed a poem to fit that catching tradition.

At this time of the year, nature is offering many poems to us. Is it possible to see poetry in the numerous blossoming flowers we now enjoy? Is there not poetry — the beauty and rhythm of their colors — in every plant? And when they bloom in unison, aren’t they all talking to us?

There are times when I completely believe that wine is poetry. So, let’s share a few verses/glasses of it by pouring some Placido Pinot Grigio. This Sicilian wine encourages us to share the simple things of life with each other.

Humans are poetry. Like written poetry, we don’t understand everything someone says, and that’s OK! I don’t understand all poetry either. However, it’s the beat of the conversation that mirrors a written poem. During a conversation, you seek the idea, pause to think and, then, bring the thought to an end.

Gee! What if we saw each other as a “poem” –someone to get to know, to converse with and maybe take a walk with through the blossoming flowers? Maybe, just maybe, we would learn to be more civil to each other through this sense of human poetry.

Have you noticed how the touch of someone’s hand pleases you? Is that comforting and supportive touch a poem? I can only speak for myself here, but that human touch is important to me. I’ve done a bit of research on this subject and the results are overwhelmingly positive. The proper touch at the proper time tells the person they are not alone. Like the words in a poem, which support each other, the human touch offers support, too.

Yet there are times when I want to be left alone. Either give me wine or leave me alone! These personal quiet moments allow us to recharge our physical, mental and spiritual batteries, and offer us the opportunity to understand an issue in a new way. You know, sip happens, let’s not whine about it, but, rather, wine with it! On that note, have a bit of Seaglass Sauvignon Blanc and recharge as you taste its citrusy freshness.

Have you ever thought of yourself as walking poetry? Don’t you have a cadence to your walk and in the way you do things? If you were to write a poem about yourself, what would you write? Now, don’t just caste away that thought! Poets try to enlighten us with the beauty of their works, their visual images and verbal personalities. Isn’t that what we try to accomplish, also?

So, on that note, I’ll have a splash of Offley Tawny Porto for a nightcap, and enter my evening in peace. I do so because I know many humans, through the poetry of their hard labor, have produced that bottle of fine wine.

And therefore, I know good wine is to be praised since it wasn’t made by a fool like me.

As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!