I can’t define with certainty <br /> what is or is not poetry <br />There are so many schools of thought <br /> but I recall what I was taught. <br /> <br />When I was young and still at school. <br />That there was but one basic rule. <br />Most everything you write is prose <br /> but poetry you must compose. <br /> <br />You choose your words selectively <br /> so that they say efficiently <br />exactly what you want to say <br /> but in a smooth and flowing way. <br /> <br />In common with all forms of art <br />sheer inborn talent plays its part. <br />All artists need to learn the rules <br />provided by the different schools <br /> <br />of thought which proliferate. <br />Study past masters of your art <br />so you learn to appreciate <br />artists who are worlds apart. <br /> <br />All poets write in their own way. <br /> Free verse, free style or formally. <br />Some styles will last some fade away. <br />Why do you write primarily? <br /> <br />What is it that you wish to do? <br />What is it that you wish to share? <br /> Your feelings or your point of view. <br />Are you afraid or do you dare. <br /> <br />admit that you don’t know it all. <br />That other folks know more than you <br />Pride always goes before fall <br />I think you’ll find that this is true <br /> <br />You can of course choose to refuse <br /> all helpful offers of advice <br />and disregard all other peoples views. <br />Though in the end you pay the price. <br /> <br />I can’t define with certainty <br /> what is or is not poetry. <br />Though I can say with confidence <br />that poetry should make good sense. <br /> <br />3-Sep-07<br /><br />ivor or ivor.e hogg<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/indefinable-3/
