Poet Am I Not

Poetry is bewitching. Writing good poetry is bewildering. Reading good poetry is mystical, arty and can win you a woman’s attention. I read poetry and feel stupid. I never understand what the words imply. I have read a poem that had a page and half preface from the author explaining where they were when they the idea for the poem came to them, why they wrote the poem and what the poem means. “Hijola, I never get to explain my novels like that. How come they can?”


Poets get away with lousy comma placement. They can stick a comma wherever they need it to make the words sound right, regardless if they are breaking a grammar rule or not. They can write line after line without ever including a period at the end of a sentence. I read the poem to myself and run out of breath before I reach the last line. The poet reads the same poem, and there is music in the air. How do they do that?


I know somewhere in me there is a poetry bone. In high school, I wrote all my girlfriend’s Valentine cards. They would give me the date they met their boyfriend, their favorite song, their favorite place to do you know what – just kissing above the neck; we attended Catholic school – and I would shoot out a poem with each sentence beginning with the letter of his name. Let me see if I can still do it.


Each day you brighten my day with a phone call
Doing what you do best in my life
Insisting I am a writer who’s words need to be heard
Telling me how great I am
Only to ask me to do a rewrite.
Rey of the newspaper, Rey of my paycheck.


Well like I said, poetry bedevils me. I have never considered myself a poet as you can see why.


In San Francisco I listened to poets who were angry young men screaming out the words on stage about being stopped by the cops. Or the poetry spoken had to be political in nature for La Raza. If anyone is interested, I rather have the sweet words.


Hats off to those on this page and all poets for their heart, their talent, and their ability to make us feel. They remind us of the hopes and dreams we once held dear. These artists of the mind have a special sight to use their skills to shoot out a condensed version of a life’s moment. Outstanding genius.


I did write a novel in poems about a relationship I had. Once I am a famous author someone will publish this novel in poems in spite of how bad it is. That’s how it works. Until then I will leave the poetry to the real poets and let them show you the music in our lengua.

Tags: poetry