There is a hidden danger
in being a poet that most people,
other than fellow poets and some writers,
have a problem grasping.
Once you let it be known
that you are a poet eventually
someone will ask you to write
a poem for a special day or person.
When this happens I gently tell them
that I cannot write occasional poetry.
Inevitably they ask whether I write
poetry every day, and I once would
respond no, I just write on occasion
when the words demand to be released.
They would say “then you do write
occasional poetry,” and rather than
getting lost in that mire of language,
I decided to write poetry every day
come storm or sickness or whatever.
Surprisingly when I say I do write
daily they smile knowingly and
then suggest that a limerick
or even a haiku would do the trick.
I do try to accommodate them unless
the person for whom I am writing
happens to live in Nantucket.