”Step up”, he told me
”To the next level.
Your intellect is like
Cut glass filled with bevel;

That lets you see things
With multiple hue
And causes styled verse
To spin from you

I want this of you--
Do not disappoint.”
This teacher told me
To write a new joint.

Out poured my soul--
I gave him the draft.
He looked, became silent,
Then started to laugh…

"It wreaks of emotion
And stings me with soul.
My laughter hides tears
More valued than gold.

I defied you to rise
Up and write free.
And I now admit,
You’ve surpassed me."

He wistfully turned
His duty complete.
I published my work --
No editorial defeat.

And assured him as well
In the opening verse
That I’d never forget
Those words, his voice

So to him, to all
That cheer us to write
Thank you, thanks much
For taking the time

To read and review
Comment and chastise…
Thank you for your stop
To nurse a new find.