Some Tips On Writing (Poetry)

‘Just open up a vein and bleed
onto the page,’ he said —
some famous writer — so I took
him at his word and bled

My thoughts pumped out a lively flow
as natural as can be
and formed themselves as I composed
deep purple poetry

I found this method worked a treat
I used it every night
experimenting limb to limb
to keep the colour bright

But slowly as in summer drought
blood’s stream grew sluggish-thin
and paler words expressed some doubt
as pressure dropped within

I waited in a weakened state
the birth of one last rhyme
it struggled free — proved premature
and failed to make the line

Wounds self-inflicted patched and healed
I write these days in ink
advising others to beware
what well-known authors think

There’s no sure tip or clever trick
no secret to impart
ideas just come — don’t force them through
no need to die for Art