On Poetry

This, she said, this the essence
of life, the very core, the grasping,
the soul of the process
of our beings.

You look at this (gestures wildly)
and this (squats and peers)
look at this leaf.

Take these things, she shouts now,
make them your song,
your aura, the positive
energy surrounding you!

Oh no, oh no, don't you look
at me like that and snicker.
That's just the emotion behind the thing.

You in the grey shirt--apathy?
You live your life like that?
Pah. Grab your life, she said,
and add as much color as you can.