"Dear John:

“Dear John:

Concerning your most recent poem…
as always, it’s engaging and technically correct,
but you’re beginning to sound a bit
one-note to me.

How about trying a poem
that isn’t about other people’s poetry –
or, better yet,
a poem that doesn’t even mention poetry?”

hi;
i’m writing to you
to let you know
i appreciate your concern for my literary safety…
but, poems are like cookies…
sometimes you just get cravings
for one particular type.

right now,
i’m into chocolate chip.

that being said,
in taking your comments to heart,
i went back and checked…
i’ve sent you exactly 39 poems,
13 of which are about the writer’s life, or writing.

i have no real defense for that.

i’m afraid i AM a writer,
and the only subject matter i have
is me.

however,
that still gives you
26 other poems to consider.

you can also be happy in knowing
that of those 26 poems,
there’s not one mention of writing…

there are also:
zero unicorns
zero faeries
zero dappled daisies
zero mentions of cutting my wrists
zero use of the words “life sucks”
and zero poems titled Life, Love or Death.

you can also
feel confident of finding poems
that talk about picking my nose,
going to the fridge for a beer
and watching my dog take a dump.

thanks for your continued interest…
best…
always…
john

A letter turned into a poem.
Its interesting non the less, and it kept my attention, but I found it a tad boring.
Maybe because it was so serious and so note like.
Good job though, I like.

the main goal of my poetry is to (a.) think outside the box and write about stuff most people wouldn't consider poetry and to (b.) do it in language people don't consider "poetic" and (most importantly) to (c.) illuminate the mundane. for years and years my poetry has failed to connect with people like you. that's just a fact of life. i've learned to accept that. one day (maybe) as you get older...as you read more...as you live more...you may see one of my poems and say "ah, NOW i get it!" and maybe not.
anyway, thanks for the input.
take care...
john