Poetry Project, V. 8.0, Day 5

One of the things I enjoy most about this yearly exercise is that I never know where it's going to lead.  There are a few pieces I've done that I really like - things that I think may have some quality to them.  Most, I don't find so amazing.  Some, I outright dislike.  Personally, I think that's ok, because it's a good reflection to do for anyone who writes.  Sometimes, I don't like a piece but for just a turn of phrase or one line that I think works exceedingly well.  Occasionally, I can look at something and say, "yup, I got it done that day, but I'm not going to really acknowledge this one, if I can help it.  Let's face it - there's a lot of bad poetry out there, and there's a lot of good stuff too.

I find that most of the time what makes good poetry is not the words nor the feelings of the poet - it's in the feelings and the thoughts of the reader as they experience the piece.  The poet can talk about anything they like, but it's up to the reader to attribute meaning and relevance.  The art - that comes in bridging the gap between feeling the verse, thinking about it, and the reader giving it some value.

That being said, here's today's offering!

to make a box

it's a simple idea - 
top and bottom and sides
to encase something -
something i've known from infancy,
and yet, 
when someone says 
they need a box for a purpose,
it is no longer so simple.
it must look like this,
act like that,
hold this for so long,
suit the purpose and the occasion.
a simple box that is no longer simple.
they are as varied as people -
chests, lockers,
trunks, cases,
urns, and caskets -
no matter the material,
no matter the construction,
no matter the price,
it's just a box.

Thanks for reading,

Me