April PAD 2013 – Day 8

2013 APRIL PAD CHALLENGE: DAY 8

The April PAD (Poem-A-Day) Challenge is designed to help poets do one thing and one thing only: Write more poems! The process of revision may go on for weeks, months, and years later, but this challenge is all about getting that first draft. Please poem along with us–either in the comments below or silently at home.

For today’s prompt, write an instructional poem. Your instructional poem could list instructions. Or it could capture an instructional moment.

Here’s my attempt at an instructional poem:

“how to spin”

she watches the birds tweet
but can’t stand their singing
songs that sound so happy

while she in misery
twists into a bottle
like a miniature boat

assembled with tweezers
never touched never held
always left on display

*****

Now mine: (Keith)

How To Be Selfish

(Unhappy)

by : Keith Dozier

I will do what I want,

Whenever I want.

I'll be happy at your expense,

Whatever the cost.

I won't even consider,

All that could be lost.

I'll take what I want,

From anyone in my way.

I'll listen to nobody,

No matter what they may say.

I'll come out on top,

Everyone is below me.

No matter how shallow,

One may think this victory.

When all this has happened,

And, I'm feeling so empty.

I will be unhappy if I want to,

And nobody will tempt me--

To listen to a real friend

Who's been here before.

I'll be unhappy just as long

As I want to and more.