The Only Poem I Wrote Tonight That I Liked was Self Criticism
No that sucks
stop trying to write that way
you’re being too indulgent
you used that big word to sound intellectual
you gotta stop trying
so hard
remember Wu Wei
remember Jack Micheline
passing out stucco’d chapbooks on the street
like a bum
remember what Bukowski said
actually
don’t listen to what Bukowski said
listen to what your mind says
when it’s at rest
listen to the water dripping
in your soul
No goddammit
you’re trying
too hard again just relax
remember what Hemingway said
remember Saroyan’s advice
remember Salinger alone
in Cornish, NH
remember Christ on the Cross
the Zen Buddhists burning alive
the persecution of the Jews
remember the way Rita Hayworth danced
remember that
comparisons are odious
Actually no
don’t
listen to any of this
just keep writing just keep
writing and don’t
stop
until you notice a large smile spreading over
your face and write about
that
until it goes away
then
put your pen down