The Nature Of Strays (Poetry)

I rescued a stray poem once
I kept it as a pet
and fed it well-intentioned rhymes
picked from a favourite set

It settled in and grew to be
a fairly average verse
although quite unremarkable
I’ve given homes to worse

But I fear I overfed the scrap
which gobbled down each word
no sign of hesitation
until bloated and absurd

I viewed my monster with dismay
I’d spoiled him horribly
the shredder was the kindest thing
to end such misery

Since when I struggle with the urge
to gather rejects in
they grow too wild and most resist
the slightest editing