Be A Better Poet Poem by Mike Finley
Be A Better Poet
1. Stop talking and listen. Listen to yourself listening. Then listen to that.
2. Pile all your hats in the back yard and burn them. Especially any with feathers.
3. Remove your name from everything you do. Anonymity purifies. Fame corrodes.
4. Drive out your own sound by inviting in others.
5. Stop breaking sentences into lines. Instead, breathe. The breaks find themselves.
6. Stop talking with other poets. One god per universe is the legal limit.
7. Stop reading poems. Read hands, read faces, read hearts.
8. Unless it feels like a gift, don't give it.
9. Leave poems in unexpected places. In umbrella stands, in robins' nests, on piles of buffalo manure.
10. Stop being a poet at all. Throw away the sash. Because it isn't about your being. It's about being, period.
11. Stop writing them down. Leave them unfolded on the doorsteps of the fearful - the only copies in the world.
(2006, for the good folks at Poemhunter.com)
Mike, Number 12 should read: Stop telling other poets what to do! Of course, I'm kidding...nice write. Gotta go now Mike, as I have poems that need to be posted on steaming manure piles.: 0) Ray
Excellent advice, Mike. I see my problem now: I've only done the second bit! Thanks for the laughs and sound ideas. : ]
An intriguing list of what not to do; I'll use what I can and discard the rest; for example, number 3 is not realistic - for people will steal and plagarize the work of others; real poets do not need to seek fame - their work will speak to the masses; besides, you're in violation your own point, seeing that's posted under your name. -Joe Breunig author/poet, Reaching Towards His Unbounded Glory
This is fan-bloody-tastic stuff. Except the advice about not reading other poets. Let's face it, all the great ones share the same inspiration in the end! love, Alison
Mike: Well said! I compose best in the car as I am driving. For a long time I used to try to write these bits and pieces down-arriving late, or driving erratically ((smiles)) . Now I just say them out loud a few times -until I get it exactly right-and then let them go....I figure it's good to give a few back to the Muse...you know? I really enjoyed this poem. Sandra Sandra
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
4/16/2024 3:39:37 PM # 1.0.0.1119
12. Make the first word of each line, the one that rhymes? (see if anyone guesses!)