Gladys Acosta (New York)

If you are a poem hunter
you need a butterfly net
to catch the elusive hyperbole
you need to be vigilant
to capture the metaphor
escaping from reality
you may have to go to
the corner of
life and love to see for yourself
how deep love can be
you need to be energetic
to keep up with the rhythm
to dance and celebrate
the power of the couplet
If you are a poem hunter
you will need to be patient
with the emotions
and deep feelings that come out
of the poet's heart
Do not hunt it down
as if it were a tiger, tiger
burning bright
Do not stalk it
Rather
delight in its message,
meaning and sentiment.
A poem hunter must be a
gentle soul.

(9/01/09)