The problem with
setting out
to write a poem
is that if you
ever manage
to write one
you'll feel compelled
to prove
you can do again
which would be
like setting out
to climb Everest,
and if you manage to summit
feeling like you must
repeat the feat
climbing past frozen stiffs and feces,
never knowing
if you'll summit or return
over and over
for the rest
of your life
when what you really want to do
is write
one good poem
declare victory,
and get the hell off
the mountain
before you get hit
by a surprise avalanche
or get stuck
writing bad poems
over and over
for the rest of your life
just to prove, to yourself
and the world
that you've still got it,
when proving you've got it
is exactly why
you got into the poetry racket
in the first place
and exactly why
you don't want
to stay there
trying to do it
again.
The challenge
can turn your knees
to water.
And also make you feel
alive.
Or kill you.
And prevent you
from doing something else,
something better
or more rewarding,
with your
life.
I know what you're thinking.
"What could be more rewarding
than poetry? "
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
I miss Ernie Kovacs' strange humor. QtR