writing poems is like
falling dreamily thru a bottomless hole
not groping in the dark
twisting, calling out
but gravitating
in an effortless recline

writing poems is like
drinking old rum over rocks
with maybe a twist of orange
not drowning your sorrows
or seeking that golden hour of near-oblivion
but just tracing the slow, steady trail
of cool fire

writing poems is like
all good things quietly cherished
without reservation or analysis
or fireworks displays
like clean teeth or a spaniel
or a brand-new roll of white toilet paper
writing poems is, simply, pretty good


-- 8th May 1996