The Caterpillars Poem by RIC BASTASA

the caterpillars all climb
line per line to claim
the topmost leaf
of the tree
and when they arrive there
they find out
that there is nothing after all
to eat and be merry

like a race for votes in poetry
there is nothing there

just speak your mind
and think of all the metaphors
that jibe with your sadness
or your joys
and your happiness and bliss
if you have them
show them

tell them that all your syllables
know how to dance
and that all your words know how
to sing
no matter where you are
whatever the limitations be

show the color of your lines
let them smell the scent of your stanzas

you may even tell a story
they too need something to appease them