Good poetry is bravery in ink.
the audacity to exist without permission.
Without hesitation (like bullets in the backs of black men)
The exposed spirit
the sirens of the soul.
Good poetry is naked
the inward man undisguised
the words do not ask you to clap
does not seek for a sign
and only rhymes if it’s meant to
good poetry does not seek to impress you
its only goal is to speak the truth.
Do not add cream
do not add sugar
do not water down what is written with fancy words.
Take off your clothes (symbolically)
let the goosebumps tap dance on your skin
let the cool air move through your toes
comb your hands through your hair and laugh.
Dance silly
talk jive
drink wine
praise dance your metaphors.
Write without chains
(there are no slaves here)
transcribe your soul to the page.
Let it bleed
let it proclaim
let it sing
then you shall know what a good poem is.
Good poetry
is bravery in ink.
The PBS Blog 