Response to Robert Okaji’s “How to Write a Poem”
How to Revise a Poem
Having learned to make a toast in nine languages
And setting aside the chainsaw with which I carved
This poem out of a block of fresh ice, I take up the scalpel,
Heated over the blue flame of the gas stove. I stand
For a moment like a conductor in white tie and tails,
Waiting for the crowd to fall silent, and make the first cut
Into the heart of the poem. Does it bleed? Do the words
Fall to the dirt among the pigeons? Do the courtesies
Sound hollow or sincere? The moon pulls at my arm
Like a cat in search of dinner or a playmate. I accept all:
Love, envy, ambition, and drive the wrong way down
One-way streets. They won’t catch me. They will
Park their Black Marias on the sidestreet, dig in
To the bowls of chili I provide for them while I steal
The bullets from their guns. Finally! At last! Just exactly
What I needed for the new ending to the poem.
buildingapoem 
Love this!
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Reblogged this on O at the Edges and commented:
You must read Susan Spilecki’s response. Much fun!
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I loved Robert’s original… I may even love this more. Great work!
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Bravo!
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Perfect – loved this as well! 🙂
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Brilliant!
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This has such an original feel and so profound. Not the usual how to write a poem! More expressive.
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Another grand kudo here, or ai-kudo…I am twisted and thrown into awe.
thanks!
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