How to Write a Poem

 

How to Write a Poem

This is easy.

Go into the woods and get lost there.

Find yourself a tall tree.

Observe its roots and the unevenness of its bark.

Hear the flapping of invisible wings in its crown.

Do not try to see the bird.

Do not attempt to identify its call

Or search for it in encyclopedias.

Then sit next to the tree and lean against its branch.

Allow yourself to fall asleep.

Do not try to remember your dream.

Even if you succeed, the dream will mean nothing.

It will not point to any wisdom.

When you come back home, write a single word in your notebook.

Let the word be important.

Then nothing.

Repeat this for a year.

Each day, get lost in the woods.

Then find a tree.

Let it be a different tree each day.

Wait for the bird to come.

It will be a different bird each day.

Take a nap.

Get back home, then write a word in your notebook.

After a year has passed, you will have a lot of words there.

Light a fire, then proceed to burn the notebook.

Now you’ll be on your own.

Sit down and write your poem.

That’s it.

GloPoWriMo Day 21