Do It Your Way For Stephen Stirk Poem by ivor or ivor.e hogg

Sometimes the words that writers use
have different meanings and values.
For words don’t always mean the same
and common words don’t play the game.

Some words can mean their opposite
A writer must be explicit
selecting words in such a way.
Their meaning is as clear as day.

Avoiding in particular
the words that seem familiar
That sound the same when they are not.
Meanings can differ quite a lot

Like seams and seems or there and their.
A writer has to be aware
Simplicity is his finest tool
and that his readers as a rule

Are not concerned with the syntax
Your words should help them to relax
If they do not then you will fail
your efforts all to no avail.

Although your words are scholarly
perfectly composed grammatically.
Successful writers in the main
make sure they write to entertain.

They cater to the public taste
they haven’t got the time to waste
Writing works which won’t be read
That will not earn their daily bread.

Those who write professionally
research their market thoroughly.
The must be certain it will sell
and some of them do very well.

Amateurs, who post on the net
are not constrained they can forget
The publishers and critics views
and simply write the way they choose.

Though they won’t earn a single cent
it doesn’t matter, They’re content
with comments that their readers make.
They love to write for its own sake.

23/06/2009
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers