Does your writing lack power,
is it merely verbose,
as you labor line to line
Is the message red meat
or a vegan’s delight,
its essence so defined
Each word as an arrow
that strikes for the heart,
its tip to preordain
The strength of the meaning
abandoning all
—when destined to explain
(Dreamsleep: January, 2022)
Surviving The Dream
I hate the business of writing
the commerce of word craft
the tedium of publishing
the deadlines imposed
I hate the word count
the editing and proofing
the book signing travel
and agents exposed
I hate the promotion
each workshop and fair
the reviews and the podcasts
the bookstores that sell
But I love the writing
when the words come together
releasing my spirit
—my fortune to tell
(The New Room: January, 2022)