FOUR POEMS

Peter Davis

POEM ADDRESSING MY INTENTIONS IN THIS POEM AND HOW I FEEL LIKE I’M DOING

It is important to me when considering this poem to do something that’s easy, something that doesn’t take much time or energy. I say that because this isn’t the only poem I need to write. I need to write others too, to increase the possibility of publishing something. On the other hand, it’s also important to me that it contains a great truth, something that will make you slow down and really think. I want you to be very impressed with this poem and the thoughts it inspires within you. I would like it to be something I’m proud of, both now, and in the future. I feel pretty good about it so far, but it’s been a little harder to write than I’d hoped.

POEM ADDRESSING SOME OF THE OBSTACLES THIS POEM WILL FACE AS IT TRIES TO ENTERTAIN, IMPRESS, AND SUCCEED IN THE WORLD OF POETRY

Some people have ideas about outstanding poetry that don’t include this sort of thing, these sorts of words, ordered up like this. Some people don’t want the second sentence to mention the second sentence! There is additionally a great deal of excellent competition that this poem has to compete against for the attention of the poem reading public. My goodness, I’m amazed you’re even here! I’m flabbergasted. Your reading of these words is very beautiful and, somehow, very sad, because we both know it must end. Unfortunately, that latent sadness may be an obstacle to this poem’s success, too.

POEM ADDRESING FURTHER SPECULATATION ON THE READER AND COMMENTING ON SOME SPECIFICALLY

If you are my friend you probably say to one of our mutual friends, “What the fuck is he doing in this poem?” I don’t know what you think. A lot of you may say something, but most probably won’t say anything. I’d like to know. E-mail me. If you are a poet, you probably think something about this poem too. You probably don’t like it. My parents have thoughts but I don’t know what they are. I would hate to write something about that here since it’s much more likely that they’re reading this sentence, than it is that you’re reading this sentence.

POEM ADDRESSING MY CHILDREN

I wonder what you’re thinking as you read this. If you are reading this, then it is the future now and you are just now registering the import of what I’m saying. We are together at this instant. I am only imagining and predicting this moment represented in this poem and it is giving me goose bumps. For you, you are discovering it. Like finding treasure. Of course, I don’t actually have goose bumps. I’m just saying ‘goose bumps’ to make a metaphorical point. Likewise, I’m not saying this is treasure.