J.C. Elkin Verse-Virtual 2016 April

April 2016

I am an optimist, linguist, singer, and founder of the Broadneck Writers’ Workshop. My chapbook, World Class: Poems Inspired by the ESL Classroom (Apprentice House, 2014) is based on my experiences teaching adult immigrants. Other poetry and prose appear domesticallyand abroad in such journals as KansasCity Voices, Kestrel, Angle, and Steam.

The Poet’s Dilemma

How does the poet know when she’s done
With the mulling, simmering, seasoning
It’s not like she can stick a fork in it

After building it word by word
It’s not like she can cut a ribbon
Or smash a bottle over its bow

After mapping the mental miles
Of thought and sweat and pain
There’s no finish line at the end

No one’s waiting to film that last step

At least she need not press it
Spray it with fixative
Tie it off and snip

Still after the labor
Her baby safe in the world
She can and should launch it

Share it, wear it
Toast it with wine
Call it done, maybe

Even if there’s no period