Sixteen Things About Poetry
I
There is nothing
utterly unacceptable
in poetry.
II
A poet looks at the world like a prisoner looks at an executioner.
III
Poetry is desperate words simulating order.
IV
Poetry: layered meaning in layered sound.
V
Poems can be bigger than the pure.
VI
What is wanted is a poem that evolves,
changing form and character with circumstance,
within the environment of each reader's attention.
VII
Poetry can energize
but it's not energy.
VIII
The brain is calibrated naturally for poetry.
The trick is keeping it in tune.
IX
Too many are obsessed with seeing
but poetry is looking.
X
The best poetry is an echo of being.
XI
Poets are, above all—
and perhaps above all others—
players of games.
XII
Poets are powerless magicians,
impotently incanting.
XIII
Poetry is a plea for someone to read me clearly.
XIV
I am writing one poem
the same way I am reading one life.
XV
I also write poems
to find those who will read them.
Too optimistic—usually
I learn what I can learn
from their going unread.
XVI
I want to ride poetry to go beyond poetry,
and I want to ride poetry to ride poetry,
and I want to ride poetry because
poetry is following magic right out of the world.
All poems are written and copyrighted by Michael C. Rush.
None may be republished or repurposed without permission.