Apology To A Poet Peer Poem by Bill Grace

When you asked me to serve as your mentor
I did not feel adequate to the task
Spiritually - numbers were loved more than words
Historically - I had not been mentored
did not trust
my own art,
sent you to: “How Does a Poem Mean”
Finished.

Hopefully there has been some growth
A local writer’s critique group
Has helped tremendously
Reading good poetry
The library of Congress 180 List
Has helped tremendously

Understanding that you – yourself
Are not only a poet
You are the poem
Has helped tremendously

Understanding you may or may not
feel inspired as you write
has helped tremendously

Understanding there is a craft
to be mastered
has helped tremendously

Understanding it is ok to be dry
has helped tremendously




Embracing Rilke’s dictum
That you must create!
has helped tremendously


All this has forced me
to see myself
to forgive myself
to nurture myself
and consequently
to stay in the fight

I apologize
I did not help you
when you asked for help
this too,
helps tremendously.