Some Words on Composing a Poem

Like lightning, bolting from the sky —
A flash of inner sight consigned to words
That rip the page or heart.

Like an exclamation point, the force
Of desire or thirst, anger or scorn
To be assuaged in writing.

Like the delta sand, shifting in the wind —
Smoothing through the leavings of tide
And time, endless waves.

Or the quarry cliff, hard into a boundless pit
Where men once heaved up rock
Without mercy,
Without fear.

Louise Coffin
Swarthmore