The Poem That Got Away

The Poem That Got Away

               I want to get lost whenever I write a poem.

                                             —William Stafford

Another reason

not to carry a cell phone—

too hard to get lost.

Should you find a poem,

that phone rings in your pocket.

Metaphors scatter

and hide.  I tried once

through briars and weeds, to hunt one

down—no metaphor

in its right mind would

leave a track behind.  You have

to surprise them, their

backs turned, the light dim,

just enough wind they can’t hear

you gasp with delight:

 “At last the very

poem I’ve been looking for—please

keep your lines in sight.”

                    —Donnell Hunter

                           10 January 2012        

Stafford also says when you have writer's block, just lower your standards.