On Writing Poetry

A friend once asked why I write poetry. Judging by the pinched look on her face, she might as well have asked why I juggle snakes. In thinking on the matter, it’s like having a sneeze that won’t come. When it finally does, it just feels good. A poet understands... To my friend, I simply said there are things inside that must come out. They are uncomfortable where they are, like having a mosquito bite that you can’t quite reach. When you find someone to scratch it, it just feels good. Oops, gotta go. I feel a poetic sneeze coming on and it’s gonna feel so good.