I hate writing
poetry
Because
once I’m finished with one poem
I want to write another
And I really shouldn’t
I hate writing
poetry
Not because I think it’s bad
But because I know it’s bad
And no one can tell me otherwise
I hate writing
poetry
Because sometimes you have to read
it
In front of
other people
And they don’t like it either
I hate writing
poetry
Because I feel proud of it for a
minute
Then I remember
that it’s bad
It smells dead, like a rotting
carcass
I hate writing
poetry…
Every
time I try to sound profound
I sound like
I’ve copied the works of the greats
Every time I try to just write
It sounds like I
don’t care
The truth is I
don’t hate writing poetry
I hate trying to sound like I’m
someone I’m not
I hate repeating
myself for dramatic effect
Maybe
if I say this phrase three more times I’ll get a good grade
No one writes
for fun; it’s always for English class; some people try, but
Others don’t care at all
Why don’t people
just care?
Not care about the assignment, but about exploring something new
Learn something
from poetry
I am so sick of people not caring
about anything but themselves
Which is saying
something because
I’m
the most selfish person I know
And if I’m selfish, I’d like to be
selfish
I am so tired of
trying to be something else
I just want to write a poem or a
manifesto or something
I want it to
mean something to me and no one else
I just want it to write itself or
maybe flow out like water from a tap
I want it to be
for me and only me
I don’t want people to tell me what
I mean by this line
I want it to
mean what I say it does
I’m not writing
this for a grade or for someone else
This is only for me, and I need to
remind myself of that
But you’re
expected to be concerned about other people and help them
But what if I don’t want to?
I hate writing
poetry
Because now that this one is over
I want to write
more
And I’m going to
Kori, I meant what I said--I hope you'll go on writing poetry forever!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful. Such an important reminder of what is important. Have you seen Ira Glass in this video series where he talks about improving as a storyteller through practice? I think you'd like it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loxJ3FtCJJA
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHere is a video that is more relevant: https://vimeo.com/24715531
ReplyDeleteThis is really awesome! Thanks, Mr. Schonfeld! I really liked what he had to say.
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