Why do Poets Write Poetry?

I can only speak for myself, but I'm sure other poets would understand.  A friend once asked me why I write poetry. Judging by the pinched look on her face, she might as well have asked why I juggle venomous snakes, or worse, why I braid germy fly swatters … well maybe the look wasn't quite that bad, but when she asked the question, she definitely looked like she'd been sucking on lemons ... 

While I’m convinced it’s not a disease, it might be at least an addiction … and an addiction with no twelve-step program for recovery. But based on her surprising question, I did ask myself, why DO I write poetry? I mean other than the obvious, which is that I enjoy it, and if that’s an addiction, well, as profound as that is, then I guess I enjoy my addiction. In fact, I actually enjoy scribbling thoughts and ideas wherever I am, on whatever I can find to write on. It's fun to come up with the perfect idea. Another poet would understand ...

To be fair and honest, I should have told my friend that to hold back a poem is like trying to hold in a sneeze. When you finally allow it to come out, it just feels good. Again, other poets would understand what I'm talking about.

To my friend, I simply said there are things inside that I have to get out. They’re uncomfortable where they are.  Another way to say it -- it’s like having a mosquito bite that you can’t quite reach. When you finally get someone to scratch it for you, it just feels good.

So, I’ve decided I’ll live with my addiction, no matter what friends think. But geez oh man, I’ve got to make this short ... I feel a poetic sneeze coming on and it’s gonna feel so good when I finally let it out ...