How to Write a Poem Right by Barbara Leonhard

How to Write a Poem Right by Barbara Leonhard

A haibun a day
keeps the sonnets at bay
because in the haiku
the meter isn’t true

Let’s not be dismissive 
as poems can be disruptive
What would Shakespeare say
with poetry today?

Rhyme and meter matter
just to the Mad Hatter—
Even Dr Seuss
would rarely cut loose

With verses as free
as dolphins in the sea,
poetry these days
can wander many ways

As many of you know
poems are born in the soul 
as long as there’s a story
of love or grief or glory

Or editors apprise
it’s worth a Pushcart Prize—
or even the Nobel
which would be very special

And don’t think that you can’t 
slant your rhyme like that!
Or play around with rhythm
and turn it into spasm!

What’s next, y’all may ask—
Well, that’s the poets’ task!

Author’s Bio

Author’s BioBarbara is a retired ESL instructor. Her poetry has been published in various literary magazines and anthologies. She’s also written a poetry collection Three-Penny Memories: A Poetic Memoir (Experiments in Fiction, 2022), which is about her relationship with her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s. The book is a best-seller on Amazon. Barbara is also the Editor for MasticadoresUSA. She lives in Mid-Missouri with her husband and cat Jasper. 

*featured image from https://www.pexels.com/photo/opened-book-placed-on-table-with-cherries-and-blue-flowers-7147806/