Ars Poetica

From RLB:

Today's prompt is to write a poem with the title of "I'm so over (_____)." You get to choose what you're "so over" with, and write a poem about it. I'll be looking forward to reading these.


I'm So Over Writing Poetry

It's finally happened. Last night
I wrote my last for real poem. As soon
as I'd finished it I knew
there was nothing left to do
but lay down and sleep the sleep
of the dead, my life's work finished.

I can't explain how I knew that last
small metaphor, the one about my dog
was it, but after I caught my glance
drifting between dog and poem,
then back to dog, that was it. It was over.

Waking this morning I saw the sun,
knew I had freed myself from the chain
of line, half line, line breaks, and ego.
This is my declaration of independence,
my barbaric yawp, my final death rattle
before I sputter and give up the ghost.

Poetry I've given you all and now I'm nothing.
Poetry three dollars and seventy-four cents April 26, 2008.
I can't stand my own mind.

Now that I've given you up, I'll go buy
some tan Dockers and loafers, get a job
selling ad space in men's magazines, plan
for retirement and two week vacations.
Now, go away. I'm finished with all of it.