How To Critique A Poem Poem by Raynette Eitel

Go slowly.
Nibble it around the edges and sigh.
Lick the sugar off the top
then close your eyes, remembering
Christmas and Mom's oven,
candy stores with cases of jeweled jelly beans.

Write it down.

Now fondle it line by line,
feeling its depth and breadth,
its smooth, seamless surface,
its throbbing core,
its beating heart.

Describe it.

Walk its path.
Bury your nose in its scent.
Search out tangled weeds,
bees inside a rose.
Check for stumbling stones,
watch for wolves wandering the darkness.
Count the dangers one by one.

Make a list.

Cram the poem into your heart.
Feel the beat of its music.
Be aware of hidden silver tears,
embrace the indigo sadness,
unwrap the lilac lilt of laughter,
tap the black night of anger,
unbridled white emotion,
harnessed red energy,
grey granite grief,
golden love.
Decipher the formula.

Now give the poet his due.