How Do I Write A Poem?

How do I write a poem, friends? With one phrase at a time, Until, of course, the last verse ends And each verse looks sublime... For patient edits here and there Can change a word or two, Perhaps to add a certain flair, Or change a point of view... Though punctuation makes me frown And drives me up the wall, I mustn't let it get me down, Though errors may seem small... There's such a feeling when it's done, Much more than just relief, Like parting clouds reveal the sun That melts away the grief... I've got this T.V. in my mind That plays out every scene, Some ideas chosen, some declined, Depending if I'm keen... Perhaps a Scripture verse was known That helps the theme along, Perhaps a conflict that's been shown To highlight right or wrong... A title wriggles as a thought That I can then explore And suddenly it's like it's caught To open me to more... And through that door, I'm off again, Rhymes pouncing on the page, Now flowing from my fountain pen As if to centre stage... Then woe betide intruders should They stand nearby and ask, If what I'm doing's any good Before my final task... As I'm still on the editing, Until this thing's O.K.! So forgive me, if I'm sitting And pleading, 'GO AWAY! ' Denis Martindale, March 2016.