Some simple words to all my fledgling,
Brothers and sisters of the pen,
Who long to sing most beautifully and
Stretch their downy wings of poetry.

No expert I, nor one who soars,
On powerful wings in cloudless skies,
But nearly fifty years of steady flight,
Does some perspective bring.

In all humility I offer you some simple truths,
That I have learned throughout the years,
In hopes that they may help you fly,
Long, sure and true to meet your destiny.

Read widely friend, and learn the forms,
That you may yet grow to disdain,
It will enrich both your life and poetry,
Expand your wingspan and power your flight.

You must know the rules of writing,
And of poetry before you can break them,
Else you will strike dissonant chords,
Like nails on chalkboards in ears not owned by fools.

Learn all you can about the world,
Its inner workings are grist for the mill,
Peel back the layers of life like an onion,
And truth will be revealed, though often through tears.

Again, read widely, no substitute for that,
But write in your own voice,
Poetry is not karaoke--do not imitate,
Let your true voice rise above the din.

Learn all you can about the world,
History, philosophy, literature, culture,
It will amplify your view and give you X-ray sight,
To pierce false facades of prettily adorned lies.

Life is your canvas, ideas your paint,
Rules the brushes with which to render truth,
As seen through your eyes to show the world,
Limit not your subject to me, myself and I.

Whether your talent is great or as small as mine,
You have the power to open closed eyes,
To touch both hearts and minds and change the world,
By skillfully stringing words one at a time.

Your voice is as unique as a snowflake,
Amplified by your skill and singular vision,
To a crystalline palace the whole world can see,
Sing out your melody, and always to thine own self be true.