April 2018
Fredric Hildebrand
fhildebrand@new.rr.com
After a 25 year career as an interventional cardiologist I retired in January 2017. One of a number of new adventures for me is poetry writing. I have been an avid reader for years, and in a previous life I was an English major. I live in Neenah, WI., with my wife, two sons, and two Labrador retrievers. 

​Something to Be Said Before Writing Poetry

​
Joyce Carol Oates says exercise first,
so try the treadmill to get a good burst. 

Stephen King begins at eight.
Starting at noon is clearly too late. 

A clean writing desk and a silent place
will certainly help to pick up the pace. 

The advice of Ted Kooser should be heeded,
a favorite chair and strong coffee are needed.

A Blueline notebook and Uniball pen
help Billy Collins find his zen,

but maybe scrap paper and a Bic are best
to find the words and put the mind to the test. 

Standing to think works well, said Hemingway;
or supine with wine, as Capote would say.

However it’s done today will go well.
Metaphors and images will start to gel. 

Start in the middle or start at the end,
whatever flows first is what should be penned. 

Say something that seems both clear and mysterious
but is also light-hearted and a little bit serious.

Nothing maudlin or too sentimental,
and think twice when being judgmental. 

When the very last word has been written, 
squeeze the poem until you’re smitten.

Then your efforts can finally cease;
what will be left is your masterpiece.

© 2018 Fredric Hildebrand
Editor's Note:  If this poem(s) moves you please consider writing to the author (email address above) to tell him or her. You might say what it is about the poem that moves you. Writing to the author is the beginning of community at Verse Virtual. It is very important. -FF