With poetry, it is touch and go -

There are times when you soar into the Heavens,
Riding a current of generous applause,
Nothing can possibly be better than this,
Being accepted as the Poet you are.

Then, the unthinkable happens -

Suddenly, there's a major malfunction!
The engine of your creativity stalls!
Blinking lights are warning you are out of ink!
And your Muse makes off with the last parachute -

SHOOT.

It's not going to be pretty -

The landing, I've heard, is going to be rough,
And there will probably be some broken bones
(That is, if the fall doesn't kill you outright),
And you
F
A
A
A
A
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
into the maelstrom of mediocrity -

But you'll probably be okay.

(Check poetic conditions before you leave,
Make sure your pen passes pre-flight inspection,
And, for Heaven's sake, this is MOST important:
Make sure that you have an extra parachute!!)


(c) 2005, Karla Dorman.