summon me, the undertaker

make it free, break the verse
unleash the poetry within
forget the i, i, i
but use it if you need it

in dreams i dreamed of poetry
verses dictated in the middle of the night
i jotted down some words
but in the next morning the handwriting was unreadable

so i try fall asleep
and summon the poet back
i hear his voice but now
he is up to something else

the recipe for shortcake i believe
and i tell him i don't need that
and he goes again: make it free, break the verse
unleash the poetry within


will tognetti (Groton, CT, 1979)