A Poem Is an Act of Hospitality

The edge of the cliff blocks the sun.
Family news, local news, world news.
What’s more important to a poem?

Ask yourself as you consider
Your choice of a theme for tonight.
You wander into the garden

Of wild weeds and evening flowers.
You could report what you’re seeing,
Or react to what you’re reading,

Or just express your frustration
That the world news is violent
And sad and seems to make no sense.

You can own up to what you did.
You can fix a meal. Pet the cat.
The cliff rises against the sun.