Robin Bennett (December 25th / New Orleans, La USA)

Like an uncertain and frightened child
over the seasons, I bloomed into a
determined and prickly bouquet
shallow dreams of popularity were mine

Soon the "in" crowd found poetry quite queer
I was hiding " The Bell Jar" and "Ariel"
from the governing and prominent crowd
I glued my lips shut to rhymes, rhythm and meter

Of course I still wrote, and only showed those
who agreed to a solemn pinky swear promise
they never understood the words (they still don't)
but they know now why I must write

No one jumps for joy, to see my name in print
baby steps along the way to chase a dream
no one to cheer me on, just my pie in the sky wish
Seems now, I'm back to chasing popularity. How ironic.