Category: A Writer’s Life

I would like to send, to those in charge, A most important small petition. From time to time, I would like to end My sentence with a preposition. In the words of Winston Churchill, When he at last put down his foot, “That’s one rule of the English language, Up with which I will not […]

Last night I wrote a poem But the words just didn’t fit, With syllables too many And the meter off a bit. A participle dangled And an adjective displaced, The metaphor intended No longer could be traced. The grammar was atrocious And the similes a crime. I am very proud of it Because I made […]

Dedicated to you that are writers – you will understand! I’ve finally written something, The magazine accepted. All my other efforts Had been quickly rejected. This time my writing effort, They used without restriction. It was the check I wrote them For my year’s subscription. Very few writers avoid the indignities of rejection slips. I […]

“Don’t write a book of poems,” they said, “Right now we just don’t need it.” “Don’t write a book of poems,” they said, “Because no one will read it.” “Don’t write a book of poems,” they said, “It’s just a waste of time.” “Don’t write a book of poems,” they said, “Especially if they rhyme.” […]

I picked a stickery flower From a stickery thistle. Now if I were a grown-up, I’d shake my hand and whistle. There are so many stickers That my hand is turning red. Since I haven’t learned to whistle, I guess that I’ll just cry instead.