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THE CAPP AWARDS
Margaret Dubay Mikus, 2012 CAPP Runner Up
In Response to Ralph Hamilton
(inspired by a Rhino blog entry on what he looks for in poetry)
Let me gently read aloud
your razor words back to you
so you will hear and see and feel what I do
what is true and not true.
So you can step outside
the mind creating
and be immersed in creation,
be swept away swimming.
You are unworthy you say
self-absorbed, lonely, even lazy.
Yet what you dared to write
sings louder to me than words.
Be kind, outside the familiar
voice of harsh critical judging,
reflecting on how far from
the intent is the attempt.
Be generous, as if you were someone else,
believe your words bravely written
have something essential to say to someone,
open long-closed channels, move immovable mountains,
expose exquisite unique facets.
Poetry is big enough you say
for differences to grate or soothe or rouse.
There is no success or failing,
there is no measuring up to
what might have been, if only…
There is only this:
life, full, repressed, expressed.
And a container, hopeful bowl of cherries,
even pitted, may still contain pits.
Risk a bruised or broken tooth
for the tart sweetness and abundance of juice.
Go Back To Cram 13 Online ** Download Your Own Printable Cram 13
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