An end-of-the-year, just-for-fun poem for my friends at AW...
This poem works
right out of the box
and the batteries are included.
But some assembly is required:
You'll need a small hammer to break
the lines for pause, pace and punctuation
and to un-dangle words a line should not end with.
Patience, an ounce or two for the poet
(who has put himself up a tree without a paddle
by placing too many oars in the fire)
and a drop or two to lubricate
things that should move but don't.
Wrenches, metrical and syntactic,
to tighten loose ends and fasten
parts that should not move but do.
Knives to cut fluff and other stuff
that doesn't amount to a hill of beans,
a pile of peas, or carry its own weight.
And metaphorical dexterity to grasp the meaning
and pry semantic openings between the lines.
Optional tools are a poet's head
to synthesize and extrapolate from is to could be,
a poet's ear to hear the song,
and a poet's heart to love the music.
But it comes with a money-back guarantee,
operating instructions in seven languages,
an extended warranty...
And, during this month's special,
and in keeping with the spirit of the season:
downloads are unconditionally free.
This poem works
right out of the box
and the batteries are included.
But some assembly is required:
You'll need a small hammer to break
the lines for pause, pace and punctuation
and to un-dangle words a line should not end with.
Patience, an ounce or two for the poet
(who has put himself up a tree without a paddle
by placing too many oars in the fire)
and a drop or two to lubricate
things that should move but don't.
Wrenches, metrical and syntactic,
to tighten loose ends and fasten
parts that should not move but do.
Knives to cut fluff and other stuff
that doesn't amount to a hill of beans,
a pile of peas, or carry its own weight.
And metaphorical dexterity to grasp the meaning
and pry semantic openings between the lines.
Optional tools are a poet's head
to synthesize and extrapolate from is to could be,
a poet's ear to hear the song,
and a poet's heart to love the music.
But it comes with a money-back guarantee,
operating instructions in seven languages,
an extended warranty...
And, during this month's special,
and in keeping with the spirit of the season:
downloads are unconditionally free.
)