HOW TO SPROUT A POEM

 

 

First place

About seven

Tablespoons of words

 In a gallon jar

 

Cover the words

With liquid ideas

And let soak over night

 

The following morning

Pour off the old ideas

And rinse

The words with fresh thoughts

Tilt the jar upside down

In a corner

And let it drain

 

Continue rinsing daily

Until a poem forms

 

Last, place the poem

In the sunlight

So it can take on

The color of life.

 

                                       1982