Somtimes it's THAT good - March 9, 2021

a great poem begins when the reader

(OK me) elbows past the poet

and enters the story through a side door

as a muted observer I slowly edge

through the crowd bite my tongue

seeing several unusual twists hold a gasp

at one sterling plot turn nod my head

at the courage and colors of the characters

and when I can’t hold it together anymore

I break the cardinal rule of just breathing

and following patiently along

rise up on my tiptoes and start whooping it up

a few lines before the final syllable

runs the table on a standing ovation