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