There twice was a poor, rich comic writer
Who wrote to a poem book editor
She wrote, 'I write poems, as you can see
If you need some poems, why not call me!
'I can write an amusing limerick
I promise no four-letter words in it
And cautionary tales about naughty fools
Just the thing for teachers at failing schools
'I can write you a classical sonnet
With a caricature of a dinosaur on it ...'
I've been planning this poem for twenty years
I hope it'll move you to laughter - or tears
As soon as you can, relieve my distress
Please send an advance. I trust you'll say yes
If commissions for me aren't piled high on your plate
Just note down my details - if I must, I can wait.
"Thank you for reading so far, can't complain
Angela Lansbury's my memorable name,
I can write a poem about your name too
Whatever you need, prose or poem, I'll do."
"A poem, or novel, or begging letter
Is hard to start, you think you'll do better
You write and rewrite, and stay up half the night
It still doesn't look right, when re-read in daylight.
"The difficult part is not how to end it
The hardest part is the courage to send it.
Some poems are written to cause a commotion
But others are glimpses of hidden emotion.
Some poems aggressively rumble and shout
Some poems let author's wild anger break out
Others whisper a secret, share common distress
"Do you feel this, too?" The sweet reader nods, yes.
-ends
Copyright Angela Lansbury. Friday 21st July 2023 at 3.29 a.m.
I changed fire anger to wild anger. Fire is stronger and more original. But wild is easier to read and perform.
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