Must & May
(personal observations – not a critique)
A Poem Must:
(You must choose at least 3 from this list)
- Say something about some thing.
- Say it in a way that imparts new information about that thing.
- Say it in a way that enhances accepted notions about that thing.
- Say it in a unique manner.
- Say it in a unique fashion.
- Pose an arguement.
- Refute an arguement.
- Present both sides of an argument.
- Say what you mean by other means.
- Say what you think, not what you feel.
- Add to another’s appreciation of something.
- Expand your own appreciation of something.
- Create a new dialogue.
- Be subjective
A Poem May: ( if you feel you must )
(You must choose 1 from this list)
- Make it rhyme
- Impose a rhythm
- Impose a form for that form’s sake.
- Use free association.
- Assume that someone is interested.
- Punctuate only where, when and if required.
- Fact check.
- Be objective.
If you have not satisfied the above criteria, then consider another hobby.
Anything less is unworthy of your time and mine.
These are considerations that I keep in mind when I write.