On GOODBYES

I’ve read too many posts lately With titles like”last post” And “not a poem” Well I am ANGRY now How DARE one single person here Have the unmitigated AUDACITY To judge the work of a poet’s pain ---the BLOOD on the page, the TEARS of anguish, the AGONY of despair--- WHO AMONG US CAN SAY THAT IS WRONG? AND HOW DARE YOU???? Who decides what makes one work worthy And another not, based upon what the poet Reveals about her pain, his depression, A background of horrific abuse Or the cumulative sorrow of repeated Abandonment?  Who?  Is there someone So authoritative on what a poem is Or is not That that person is in a position to Deliver a proclamation that “No one wants to hear all of your problems, so pack it in, and save us the sad story?” Huh? WHO??? I have my suspicions.  I’ll keep them to myself, But know this: YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. Are you proud of yourself now? Another gifted poet has bidden us farewell, Burdened further than she already was By the thoughtless, insensitive weight Of some FOOL’S worthless opinion. She didn’t deserve it.  She deserved the best we can give her, And I’m sad to say, Though I did not know her well, She will be missed. We will all pay the price, And for me, it’s too damned high. ANYONE ELSE??? Go ahead…give me your best shot. I can take it.  I only wish she could have. Bonnie Cook 17-Apr-02~~~yep, it's a rant~~~ Written April 17th, 2002 © on Apr 16 2002 06:51 PM PST    10 • 0