THE PUBLISHING GHOST

THE PUBLISHING GHOST

Surely by now, has it not all been said
With so many submissions to be read
Although many forms are not yet dead
Now rhyme seems to have had its day
And formal structures are blown away
With free verse most popular onstage

But it is all about feelings first, I think
Yet contest entry fees do cause a stink
It takes the challenged up to the brink
But then, what happened to grammar
A well-worn subject one can hammer
It’s never enough just to turn the page

As there are new and interesting styles
Some don’t seem to survive their trials
And with A.I, it’s about spinning dials
But all inspiration also needs expression
Not just freeform tumbling confession
Poetry is unlikely to offer a living wage

It’s the odd and unexpected metaphor
Perhaps unseen in that context before
And it works, if it only opens the door
However well written, or even spoken
An abused language is so easily broken
As seen from within or without, a cage