This Is Just An Exercise Poem by RIC BASTASA

this poem
is a morning poem

i write it when
the sun begins to peep
between the two hills
where my house
stands

i write it when the dews
are still alive
glistening with life
on the green leaves
on the white petals
of the flowers

i write it when the birds
start to chirp
and in flocks start
to leave the trees
where they
sleep for the
whole dark night

oh, this poem is nothing
it is just an idea
just an exercise of the mind
this morning

just to assure myself
that i am still a rational being
in touch with art
honed to the skills
of humanity

oh, this is just nothing
but a prelude
to my day

a day
when we wish
we are not thinking at all