before you become
a poet,
you must know the
poem.
the way words can
change form and
twist themselves
into places they
don't
belong
(and you must play along)
before you become
a dancer,
you must know the
dance.
the swing and bow,
the way motions flow
to hold together
something the eye
cannot capture.
before you become
a singer,
you must be the song,
allow yourself to
be sung,
and chanted
and revered.