An American Poetry Workshop

a poem

Books and Scholars’ Accouterments, (1875) Yi Taek-gyun, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Is a poem 
       like this; 
“I saw two squirrels fucking 
and thought about 
my dead father’s birthday,” 

Is a poem,
a shock and awe 
calibrated formula
of nature, death and nudity?
(all poems must contain, thus contains) 
Is a poem 

delivered with precisely injected
trace elements of swagger and swearing 
to make it seem natural?
(where natural means nude and unrefined
to establish one has been to Ohio)

Is a poem
launched towards the placid breaths 
of an imagined journal 
subscriber watching 
steam rise from a coffee mug,
contemplating the withered 
olive branches,
weekends were built of tougher toils, 
They will think before
    It is noticed for a moment 
how suddenly quiet the air, 
given the rising dust, 
Where is the wind?
They wonder for a sip, 
then take it as a sign 
to pick the book up 
and 
boom. 

Chaos.

Is a poem like 
invading Iraq? 

©E.R.D.

Thank you for reading!

Poems and Other Measured Schemes is made possible through the generosity of others. You can support the effort through a subscription or a one-time Ko-fi donation.

Poems are published twice a week but you’ll rarely receive emails, unless it is something worth shouting about.