John Stetson Poet Free verse

Courage

There was a private reception at the professor's house 
Half a century ago for his senior-level creative writing poetry class
It was attended by the visiting poet, on campus at his invitation 
The doctor's prescription for the nourishment of his fledglings

Some students were eager to share a few lines with the guest of honor

But there was a quiet one hanging about the periphery, alone in thought
Not one who who sought an audience with the Master, with the Elder

As the evening wore on some nibbled, some scribbled
Some continued to pursue the Poet

But the quiet one kept largely to himself, lost in thought
Or maybe…  just lost

And as the soiree drew to a close the Poet approached him
He said, "Is something troubling you?"
"Oh…  not really," he responded, unconvincingly
"Well…" the Poet said, "You've got a lot to do in this life,
But you're gonna do it good."

The quiet one thanked him, smiled, 
And thought about grammatic structure, poetic lisence, and why he'd been singled out

And he thought about all those things that were really troubling him

Courage, encourage, discourage
Word he'd…  worried

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