Welcome to My Poetry Site
Advice to the Poet
If you're seeking a form of expression
And your thoughts are in disarray,
After some careful reflection,
This is what I would say:
If you really want to show ‘em,
You ought to try writing a poem!
If you want it succinct and concise,
That would certainly be very nice.
If it's rhythm that you are pursuing,
You've got to know what you are doing.
If you want your poem to rhyme,
You'd better have lots of time.
If you want it to be very clear,
It's best not to drink too much beer.
If you tend to leave too much unsaid,
It will go over everyone's head.
If inversions you frequently use,
Respect for your style will you lose.
If personification's your thing,
You might make many hearts sing.
If some metaphors are affixed,
Be very sure they're not mixed.
If your simile's as old as the hills,
You'll see how much interest it kills.
If your poem has too many words,
You should probably cut out two-thirds.
If you want to be light and expressive,
Try not to be over excessive.
If you want to earn any praise,
Be sure to avoid trite clichés.
If symbols are your cup of tea,
Try not to use more than three.
If you always insist on the sonnet,
Well, you've got a bee in your bonnet.
If you constantly give them sad ballads,
You'll make them weep in their salads.
If there's too much alliteration,
You'll find that you're fostering frustration.
If you're too much into analytics,
You'd better watch out for the critics.
If you can write perfect stanzas,
Well, those are poetic bonanzas.
If you want it to go on forever,
You'd better be especially clever.
If you don't know when to quit,
They'll say enough....
SO...if you have an idea to share,
This advice should give it some flair.
(3-31-14)
And your thoughts are in disarray,
After some careful reflection,
This is what I would say:
If you really want to show ‘em,
You ought to try writing a poem!
If you want it succinct and concise,
That would certainly be very nice.
If it's rhythm that you are pursuing,
You've got to know what you are doing.
If you want your poem to rhyme,
You'd better have lots of time.
If you want it to be very clear,
It's best not to drink too much beer.
If you tend to leave too much unsaid,
It will go over everyone's head.
If inversions you frequently use,
Respect for your style will you lose.
If personification's your thing,
You might make many hearts sing.
If some metaphors are affixed,
Be very sure they're not mixed.
If your simile's as old as the hills,
You'll see how much interest it kills.
If your poem has too many words,
You should probably cut out two-thirds.
If you want to be light and expressive,
Try not to be over excessive.
If you want to earn any praise,
Be sure to avoid trite clichés.
If symbols are your cup of tea,
Try not to use more than three.
If you always insist on the sonnet,
Well, you've got a bee in your bonnet.
If you constantly give them sad ballads,
You'll make them weep in their salads.
If there's too much alliteration,
You'll find that you're fostering frustration.
If you're too much into analytics,
You'd better watch out for the critics.
If you can write perfect stanzas,
Well, those are poetic bonanzas.
If you want it to go on forever,
You'd better be especially clever.
If you don't know when to quit,
They'll say enough....
SO...if you have an idea to share,
This advice should give it some flair.
(3-31-14)
