Is Silence Criticism?
Who plumbs the mind of a poet?
Most of his readers don’t know it.
And yet the poet doesn’t know
what’s in the reader’s mind–and so
Both of them need education
to ensure communication.
The poet is sometimes surprised
when some closeness is realized.
He always tries to understand
these Alices in Wonderland
who appear to admire his stuff
although it isn’t good enough.
If he gets no criticism
is he really in touch with’em?

Walt Abbott–5-14-2009