Run And Dance And Play Poem by RIC BASTASA

'The mission of poetry is to create among people
the possibility of wonder, admiration, mystery,
the sense that life is marvelous...
To make life a marvel-that is the role of poetry.'
- OCTAVIO PAZ


she finally admits that she likes octavio
but she does not understand him, and i quip

that if that is the case, you must stop reading him, he is killing you
and your initial desire to be in love with poetry

isn't it that the mission of poetry is to create this marvel?
this admiration? this feeling that life is marvelous?
that there is still this wonderful feeling left inside us
despite the odds?

if octavio makes you wonder about more wonders
continue reading the magnificence of his lines
marvel, marvel, marvel

but if he does not achieve that purpose in you
try reading back those nursery rhymes
those that make you feel better and make you
go back to the niceties of your childhood

run and play and dance and sing