If the Poem
if the poem tastes too sweet
add a pinch of salt
if the poem tickles you
wear medieval armour
if the poem hits a nerve
numb yourself into submission
if the poem scratches you
place gloves upon its hands
if the poem is angry
placate it, talk it down
if the poem reflects your life
consider it autobiographical
if the poem is abstract, phonetic
grm, drm, frm, (e)ko, da(k)
if the poem is hungry
feed it typewriter ribbons
if the poem copies e.e.cummings
does it, said he/she
if the poem sets off fireworks
take away its matches
if the poem thinks dictionary
tell it to exeunt
if the poem blames others
remind it of its responsibilities
if the poem dangles over the edge
push the b*stard in
if the poem is rude, lewd, crude
teach it some manners
if the poem ejaculates
make it clean it up itself
if the poem colourises
show it the value of monotone
if the poem bawls like a baby
smother it, drown it
if the poem gets sent to jail
let it fester, let it rot
if the poem was written by you
then you are a liar
if the poem fades away
let it go and know
if the poem says “and another thing”
then I advise deafness...
July 1996
Copyright © Neil Johns | Year Posted 2021
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