Writing a poem isn’t as hard
as you think. Especially if
you don’t pay attention to formal forms
or any form at all, if you are in the
Allen Ginsberg school.
Talk to your next
door neighbor. Ask them
What Would You Say About Yourself
if You Were a Poem?
Write it down.
One of my next door neighbors many
years ago, Ida G., said she didn’t much like
her husband Harry. That became many poems.
I invented reasons for what was wrong with Harry.
He snored. He was anti-romantic. He wore
plaid pajamas. He didn’t read much. He
was entirely predictable.
Harry became many poems.
To write your poem,
go to CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aide
or any drugstore. Stay there a while,
where people pick up prescriptions.
Yesterday I heard a man named Alfonso
date of birth 8/12/49 tell well-tattooed Jamal
that he met his wife at CVS. They were both
picking up statins. His a higher dose.
Once you realize that poems are everywhere,
your only task will be to write it down.
Esther Cohen writes a poem a day at Overheardec@substack.com.
Esther Cohen https://overheardec.substack.com
Top photo: Bigstock
