Slippery Things Poem by Suzanne Hayasaki

Never look a concept in the face.
It will shimmer and glint,
It will show you its most glamorous facets
But its mysteries will remain hidden.

Never take an idea in its stride.
It will pick up its pace
And slowly outrace your mind
Until it fades into faint traces.

Never grab inspiration by the lapels.
It will twist out of your grip
And slip past you and into the crowd
Of random reminders of past regrets.

You must stalk your poetry.
You must sit in the forest of your fears.
You must crouch in the savannah of your doubts.
You must lie in wait for timid intimations.

Wait until you catch their scent.
Let your senses awake to their presence.
Become aware of there intentions
And plan your attack.

You must be swift.
You must be silent.
You must take one by the throat
And make it offer up its lifeblood.

For in the victory of the hunt
In the surrender of your prey
The heart of its truth
Will flow through you.