Manifesto

A poem has a unique voice that should sing and resonate

            on some level, though everyone's memories are different.

A poem should carry the reader along its path

            and not let the traveller veer until the road ends;

            the path must be incomplete.

A poem should give you pieces to meddle with and tie together

            until you can form your own stepping stone walkway.

A poem should teach, in this process of follow-the-leader,

            and describe ideas in never-before-seen ways.

A poem should be able to alter itself until it controls its body

            and can seduce a reader, no matter the form it has taken on.

Each poem should be different, and use its hidden voice

            to serenade its subject, and you as well;

            to draw you in and needle at your mind.

A poem's voice should be beautiful, if even in a haunting way

            and should bestow life of its own, even if that life is damned.

A poem should show you the world it describes -

            not through its eyes, but yours.