How Do You Write Poetry? Poem by Keith Gwilliams

I am often asked! Well occasionally I have been asked!
Someone asked me once—I think I have been asked
How do you write poetry?

She asked me - How do you write poetry
I've given it a go but its not good enough
So how do you use all those metres and stuff
All the rhyme and the format I dont have an idea
I'm getting frustrated and feeling quite queer!
And I said 'Oh? '

She said 'Well I've tried all I can and it never comes right
I've tried reading dictionaries - sat up all night
I never seem able to think of a theme
And what I write down is not what I mean
And I said 'Oh'

Then when I think of something to write
I look and I look and there's no pen in sight
And after a search for a scribbling tool
I cant find the paper Oh I do feel a fool
And I said'Oh’

And having got the materials together
Some idiot next door starts discussing the weather
And I said 'Oh! '

In this business of rhyme
I just cant find the time
And in fact I cant summon the verve and the vigour
Its rather like having milk in a jigger
You know something's in there but how to get at it
When you manage to open it spills over the cat - it's
This poetry lark! It cannot be hard
You seem to produce your verse by the yard!
Of English I've got a reasonable command
But you produce rhyme as if on demand
And I said'Oh'

She said
I want to write poetry I want to write verse
My frustrated feeling cant get any worse
Just tell me oh tell me
How do you do it
If I dont find out I know I will rue it
There's a poet within me who wants to get out
If I dont write something I'll scream and I'll shout
Oh how do you do it? Oh what is the way?
Please tell me quickly I've not got all day
What is the secret of Auden and Grey
Whatever told Longfellow just what to say
Oh look at the clock I'll have to be quick
All this pithering about is making me sick
Just what is the answer? I'll soon have to go
And I said' I dont know! '