Simultaneity*
When things happen at the same time;
confluent syllables which rhyme,
a certain rhythm may be born,
needing popcorn instead of corn.
Like the prizes in CrackerJack,
which also gives you something back,
you may suddenly realize
rhythm is a pleasant surprise.
But, if the rhythm isn’t there
some poetry readers don’t care.
Children will know something is wrong
if the poem isn’t a song.
Perhaps it is philosophy
when they expected poetry.

Walt Abbott–5-6-2009


*Some people ask
“Where do you get ideas for a poem?”
This morning i woke up
and a small voice was whispering
“simultaneity.”
I thought “What is this?
I don’t even know how to spell it.”
A bedside dictionary was no help
so i looked in the computer.
Many people say
“If it doesn’t rhyme,
it isn’t a poem.”
Well, maybe.