First,
start with the title:
it must be
directly related
to the content
of the Poem -
or not.

Then, begin the Poem
with a phrase
of tempting ambiguity,
a detail so compelling
that the reader
will follow you
as you pull back
to reveal its unexpected
milieu.

Continue by making
an arcane allusion
to a 17th century English essayist
or by adding a sly reference
to one of the
lesser known Beats
(nothing from Ginsberg,
Kerouac, Burroughs or
Bukowski, please) –
this will establish
your lit cred
among the cognoscenti.

Include densely worded
passages, overstuffed with
arbitrary and completely insular
imagery
to buttress your emerging status
as a solitary, enigmatic genius.

Bring it on home
with an unexpected punchline
that either disorients
or brings a cynical smirk
to the morally ambiguous,
postmodern reader.

Send it out to the same
twelve friends
who always read your work
and always love it.

Repeat as necessary.

this made me grin

Stella

Fave lines:

Send it out to the same
twelve friends
who always read your work
and always love it.

Repeat as necessary.

I grinned also. :)

you leave my burroughs out of this! ;)

very much enjoyed

Hey if the same 12 friends are on editorial boards, grant panels, and tenure committees . . . a star is born!

Prickly good.

ditto that!

ld

very sharp and snappy, Buddah. Though I personally wouldn't consider Bukowski one of the Beats.

thanks
James

 ;D

Thanks one and all, but I feel like I've screwed myself, what with giving out my formula and all.  - -

A sincere thanks to everyone who reads my writing and an even bigger dollop of gratitude for commenting.

Buddah Moskowitz

Got a good belly laugh out of that.

Thanks for the fun read.

Love how this poem builds, Buddah, from its very engaging title to a stick-it-to-ya final 13 lines and down to the killah last 5! Tom

Moskowitz.... your humor always finds the right way with words.  This is a gem! What a way to play!

Laura

Came back to this with a smile and had to send it up.

great ingredients! enjoyed!