Nostalgia, that’s out. And sentiment.
Don’t mention roses, emotions
or anything to do with endearing
animals. And rhyme. Beware of that;
full, half, feminine or slant.
Use only if it seems accidental,
even if it was June and there was
a moon. Better to cut your hand off.
Leave out more words than in.
Last week an earnest friend said
he wished a pill could be invented
to stop people from writing poetry.
(no need for earnest)
Eithne Hand’s most recent collection is Tickle (Salmon Poetry), from which today’s poem is taken.
Don’t mention roses, emotions
or anything to do with endearing
animals. And rhyme. Beware of that;
full, half, feminine or slant.
Use only if it seems accidental,
even if it was June and there was
a moon. Better to cut your hand off.
Leave out more words than in.
Last week an earnest friend said
he wished a pill could be invented
to stop people from writing poetry.
(no need for earnest)
Eithne Hand’s most recent collection is Tickle (Salmon Poetry), from which today’s poem is taken.
