warm up poem

if i start this poem

with no idea what it will say

if i keep writing with no theme in mind

with no message of any kind

with nothing but the compulsion to write

to type

something that may, eventually, mean something

to me

to you

to maybe every-you

could that be enough?

if i start this poem

with no goal in sight

with nothing but the sunlight

to illuminate the page

and the ink that flows out of the tip

and stain the paper

as I sip tea and ponder wonder think

should i drink water instead?

could that be enough?

if i continue writing this poem

into its third stanza

still unclear as to its meaning

but aware that i am moving forward

into the unknown

quietly, but intently

because i know that i am now somewhere i wasn’t when i was at the start

and my heart is warming up…

could that be enough?

and what if this is a warm-up poem?

what if this is the process i go through to prepare for the “real” poems

the ones with themes and metaphors and similes and jokes that please

and let’s not forget rhymes

but those poems don’t emerge from nowhere, there are thousands of lines

that get written and only a few make it to the ether

between me and you.

what if this is a warm-up poem?

is it enough?

it’s a vital step in the journey to get to the “good” stuff.

we’re so product hungry

finished and glossy is what makes it in our society

and this is just a peek into the backstage

the VH1 behind the page look

into how we get pieces that are much bolder

much louder

much more produced.

but i think i know my answer now.

this poem is a key part of the how

and my how is just as important as my what

so i’m gonna strut my warm-up poem

up and down the red carpet

‘cause it is exactly what i need to show right now.