A Poet's Emotions Poem by Suzanne Hayasaki

A poet does not ignore her emotions.
She explores them.
A poet does not run from herself.
Nor does she gush.

Poetry is discovery with discipline.
Poetry is exposure within the hidden.
Poetry is the personal wrapped in the universal.
Poetry is turning a stirring into a story.

Poetry is not about sounding a barbaric yawp.
Nor is it about crafting a complex web of words.
Poetry is about finding the pattern behind the idea.
It is about making emotions take shape on the page.

Poems should draw readers to them
Like the sun shining on still water.
They should suggest reflection.
They should ripple and shimmer.

Poets tempt their readers with titles,
Draw them closer with the opening lines
Poets hint and taunt and flirt and hide
And leave you dazzled if they do it right.