April is Poetry Month: Day 12

 The Poem That Got Away

There I was and in it came
Through the fogbank of my brain
From the fastness of my soul
Shining like a glowing coal

the nearly perfect poem!

Oh, it may have needed just

An alteration here or there--

A little tuck, a little seam

to be exactly what I mean--

The really perfect poem!

    I'll write it later on, I said,

    The idea's clear and so's my head.

    This pen I have is nearly dry.

    What I'll do now is finish this pie,

    Then on to the perfect poem!

With pen in hand quite full of ink

I try now to recall.

I've plenty of time in which to think

But the poem went down the kitchen sink

With the last of the perfect pie.

                                            Felice Holman

From: Inner Chimes: Poems on Poetry, Selected by Bobbye S. Goldstein, Wordsong Press, 1992.

This is such a fun book for people who like to read poetry, have ever tried to write poetry, or are just curious about the creative process.  This is a book that would be found in the children's section, with charming illustrations and a spacious design; but that is an artificial separation.  So much simple joy can be found between the pages; and so much food for thought (and even some tasty pie!)