Who is a Poet?

What qualifies anyone to think

of themselves as a poet?

An aspiration to write poetry

has little to do with the title.

Knowledge of the rules of the

craft may cripple the imagination

required for aphorism.

Poetry entails the search for

expressions which quickly and with

grace describe actions or aspirations.

There are many traditions which

are abusive to a free imagination.

Of course traditions grow out of a

need to identify what makes a poem

recognized by a wide audience.

The future belongs to the daring.

Only those who dare to defy criticism

can expect to survive in the chaos of

an ever-changing craft.

Arrogance is a major requirement

for anyone who wants to combat the

establishment. combination of avant

garde and tradition are the enemies

of a wild and free imagination.

This leads to the question:

“Who might want to write poems?”

I for one, find it fun to try.

Walt Abbott 7-12-2011