The New Avatar

Cronin started writing— Prescriptions and papers, Ended up writing fiction. I started teaching and, eventually, came to write poetry, I’m tempted, by vanity, to think That I am prompted by the thought fox, Or Pegasus or Muse(s), or Sarasvati. Or am a catalyst in the crucible, Or a victim of freeplay. Or am deafened—both by echoes and ageing; Or am – subliminally – trying to outwit a precursor. All this tickles my fancy! Whatever I may be, say or, do, in this new avatar, I am free of the burden of footnoting, free to plagiarize, Free to take liberties with grammar. Great relief! *** This poem found an honorable mention in the poetry contest entitled Avatar, sponsored by Line Gauthier, December 15, 2017.