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A Poet's Pledge

I will release no rhyme
Before its time.
No limerick, ode, haiku, or sonnet
Will 'scape from 'neath
My poet's bonnet
'til it be trimmed, and tamed, and non-aggressive,
Or overripe with verbiage
Or punctuation too excessive.

I will not break
This pledge I take,
Cruel critics' barbs though I endure.
My verse I'll brace with style and grace
Until my place in poetry's secure.
Of course, should "laureate" become my haunt, too,
I'll release anywhere,
And anyhow,
And anytime I damn well want to.

Copyright © Jim Slaughter | Year Posted 2022

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Franci Hoffman Date: 10/21/2022 4:12:00 PM Cleverly written and delightful piece, Jim! Congrats on you POTD! Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 10/22/2022 10:22:00 AM Thank you, Franci.

Sam Kauffman Date: 7/7/2022 4:35:00 PM Congratulations on Your POTD. Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/10/2022 12:53:00 PM Sam, thanks.

John Watt Date: 7/7/2022 1:34:00 PM Nicely worded, Jim. Congrats on your POTD ~ John Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/10/2022 12:52:00 PM Thank you, John.

Beryl Edmonds Date: 7/6/2022 6:13:00 PM Congratulations Jim on taking a poet’s pledge and being rewarded poem of the day… Belle Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/7/2022 10:21:00 AM Belle, thank you.

Ernilando Tugaff Date: 7/6/2022 5:11:00 PM Hello Jim. Congratulations on your beautiful POD. Don't rest on your laurels. Ernilando Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/7/2022 10:20:00 AM Thanks, Ernilando. I'm not sure I have any of those....yet,

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 7/6/2022 11:52:00 AM I love this humorous poem Jim. Congratulations on your wonderful POTD honor. Blessings xxoo Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 11:56:00 AM Connie, thank you.

Jennifer Fenn Date: 7/6/2022 11:18:00 AM Good one! Congrats on POTD! Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 11:20:00 AM Thanks, Jennifer.

L Milton Hankins Date: 7/6/2022 9:39:00 AM Somehow I missed this one earlier, Jim. It really is quite good, and I send my congratulations on your P.O.T.D. Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 10:02:00 AM Thank you, L M. I always appreciate your feedback.

Jenna Logan Date: 7/6/2022 9:21:00 AM At laureat status you may do as you darn well please. Congratulations for your potd write, Jim. Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 10:03:00 AM Jenna, merçi beaucoup.

Joseph May Date: 7/6/2022 9:18:00 AM Fine tuning the verse with forms diverse, Congrats on POTD Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 10:03:00 AM Thank you, Joseph.

Gershon Wolf Date: 7/6/2022 9:02:00 AM Maybe you can rope yourself a laureate with that lasso -- your 'lariat!' Congrats on POTD, cowboy! ~ Caballero Gershon Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 10:04:00 AM I don't know, G. He's a pretty elusive bugger. But thanks for the thought, anyway.

Paulette Calasibetta Date: 7/6/2022 8:37:00 AM Congratulations on your POTD! A charming write for a principled poet! Love It! :)Paulette Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 10:05:00 AM Thank you, Paulette. I hope I can always keep this pledge.

Paula Goldsmith Date: 7/6/2022 8:08:00 AM Congratulations on your POTD win. A wonderful write. Love it. Have a blessed day writing away............. Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 10:05:00 AM Paula, thanks.

Kim Rodrigues Date: 7/6/2022 7:24:00 AM EnjoyedM Congratulations on POTD! Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 10:06:00 AM Thank you, Kim.

Tania Kitchin Date: 7/6/2022 7:19:00 AM Jim, wonderfully penned, congratulations on POTD! Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 10:06:00 AM Tania, thank you.

Constance La France Date: 7/6/2022 7:17:00 AM Jim, wow, excellent writing, I love your poem so much and a big congratulations on your deserving POEM OF THE DAY honor, blessings ~Constance Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 10:08:00 AM Constance, thank you. If I can strike a chord with other poets, I have, indeed, accomplished something "deserving".

Susan Lawrence Date: 7/6/2022 6:22:00 AM Laughing ! So much fun . I love it ! Big congratulations on POTD Jim! Cheers, Susan :) Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 10:11:00 AM Thanks, Susan. I had fun writing it.

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 7/6/2022 5:40:00 AM Chuckling out loud. Fabulous fun piece, delightful POTD! Congratulations Jim! xomo Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 10:11:00 AM So that was you I heard? Thank you, Maureen.

John Lawless Date: 7/6/2022 4:24:00 AM WHAT!!!!! NO ROOM FOR DANDELIONS??? Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 10:13:00 AM I'll allow for sunflowers, John, but no other weeds in my poetic garden, I hope. Thanks.

Linda Alice Fowler Date: 7/6/2022 4:23:00 AM Just perfect Jim. Freedom of speech! Congratulations on POTD. Linda Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/6/2022 10:12:00 AM FOS within reason. Thank you, Linda.

Ilene Bauer Date: 7/5/2022 12:08:00 PM you had me with the opening lines, jim! wonderful! Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/5/2022 1:48:00 PM Thanks, Ilene. Yours are always at the ready.

Panagiota Romios Date: 7/5/2022 11:26:00 AM Fabulous and an immediate favorite, Jim. Love, love your rhymes and individualistic stance! Bravo… Love, Panagiota xx Fav line.. “ or over with verbiage”…Good show! Login to Reply Jim Slaughter Date: 7/5/2022 1:33:00 PM Panagiota, thank you. I hope this will always keep me humble.