MORE ADVICE TO A YOUNG POET

       

        Perhaps you don't want me
            to know you're done.
            Your thought's complete.
        Perhaps you don't want me to note
            an insert,
            clause, or
            series has begun, or
            when a thing's possessed, or
            strange,
            foresee omissions,
            "quotes", or
            something that's left out
            --as in an after-thought,
            some (F.Y.I.) or
            something emphasized.
        We read without a hint.
            I fear we often go awry.
        A play is written
            for the eye and ear.
        When reading one
            you search the text for clues.
        Once poems were heard and seen,
            passed year to year.
        Please make me write your poem.
            Please be my muse.
        Give me the signal
            when to pause or
            wait and breathe and think.
        Please, poet, punctuate.

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does it always take a bird in the cage for you to know it as a bird?