Indefinable? Poem by ivor or ivor.e hogg

I can’t define with certainty
what is or is not poetry
There are so many schools of thought
but I recall what I was taught.

When I was young and still at school.
That there was but one basic rule.
Most everything you write is prose
but poetry you must compose.

You choose your words selectively
so that they say efficiently
exactly what you want to say
but in a smooth and flowing way.

In common with all forms of art
sheer inborn talent plays its part.
All artists need to learn the rules
provided by the different schools

of thought which proliferate.
Study past masters of your art
so you learn to appreciate
artists who are worlds apart.

All poets write in their own way.
Free verse, free style or formally.
Some styles will last some fade away.
Why do you write primarily?

What is it that you wish to do?
What is it that you wish to share?
Your feelings or your point of view.
Are you afraid or do you dare.

admit that you don’t know it all.
That other folks know more than you
Pride always goes before fall
I think you’ll find that this is true

You can of course choose to refuse
all helpful offers of advice
and disregard all other peoples views.
Though in the end you pay the price.

I can’t define with certainty
what is or is not poetry.
Though I can say with confidence
that poetry should make good sense.

3-Sep-07