Make Believe

Hate

The hollow magic all great poems have

Regardless of the subject or the theme -

Junket's had it. Shakespeare's beautiful,

But he is more substantial than all that.

Then what poets have it? Just the dead ones.

Every phrase comes softly from the sea.

Even hate's a topic for a song

If it like a clam shell on the shore,

Is empty, unspecific. And it floats.

This is not a talent. It's disease.

Nonetheless it's what I want to write.

In someone else's verses or in mine,

When I see it, I am satisfied.

I think, “That's good.” And put the book away.

2-17-14

 

Make Believe

Make believe. The old man

Thinks he is a poet.

It gets a little tiresome.

He doesn't ask a lot.

When he writes a poem

And collars you to read it,

Just tell him that it's good,

And hand it back.

When he sells a book,

Which he very rarely does,

Shine it on

And simply walk away.

Although he's had a lot of college,

He'll tell you if you ask him,

He doesn't know a thing

Anybody needs to know.

2-17-14