April 2016
Bruce Dethlefsen
poetdethlefsen@gmail.com
It's the music in the words in poetry that make it so human. I volunteer in Wisconsin prisons, giving poetry writing prompts and I'm always amazed with the word pictures the men who live there paint and the songs they sing.  I play in a couple of bands, one blues and one Celtic music.  I've taught over a thousand people to juggle.  I wrote "White Stallions" [below] in Guatemala when I was there training rural librarians.  www.brucedethlefsen.com

The Snoring Poet


why wake the snoring poet
while he wrestles in his sleep with words

notice as his eyelids tremble
fingers twitch as if to write
his lips about to bubble maybe burst

listen to the raspy wheeze of breath
he is a witness of the whatness unexpressed

and in the place he ought to be
where sculptors turn to stone at night
where dancers take to flight
where singers dream in harmony
and painters turn to light

please never nudge a poet snoring
cover love and keep him peace
protect him from the soundless roar of morning
let him sleep
 ©2016 Bruce Dethlefsen