HOPE for this poem is the attention it will receive
falling on the ears . . . of wise wordsmiths

a selective commentary referencing relatable writing techniques
yet, no matter what you tell me, i tend to refuse to give up easily

i hang on, pound it this way and that
twirl it like a pizza stretching its’ dough
then soften the rough edges and roughen the soft edges
and do it all over again

even sharpen lingo with an old cigarette lighter that slightly flickers not flames
an act of resurrecting numbed parts of me

like the Battle Hymn of the Republic solo i played at my first recital and put up 
with my blue collar teamster union dad’s dismay of having to listen to anything patriotic
i endured memorizing my piece

thank you for your conscious wordsmith dismantling
and/or accolades of wonder

please know, i continue to pound myself harshly
and begin all over again . . .