ETHICS FOR WRITING A POEM

A poem is like a preacher.

It tells a Truth

Igniting

The light of the poem.

A poem says what

It came to say, and then gets

Out of its own way.

The worst thing   very worst

Thing a poem can

Do is lie.

The Holy Spirit will come,

Cross out the words,

Laugh hollowly, and shout

'Fraud'.

A poem looks in the mirror, and

Sees its reflection,

Not in downy feather,

But in steel.