Poem For Our Times

A Poem for Our Time

 

 

Firstly, no rostrum or microphone

For poetry should be natural and so unofficial.

So, no standing under or behind banners

Erected for some minority group. No.

 

The poetic act, all poetry, is uniquely

Concerned about the individual, not the group.

Also, the voice of the poet should be heard

Naturally, so acoustics not electrics.

 

These two essential things to begin with.

Finally, though no least essentially,

Men, you need to write about your women

 

As this has always been a fundamental aspect

Of poetry, and do not worry about accusations

Of the ‘male gaze’, just trust only in your singular vision.