Close Examination

Helping a friend with a poem this morning, I mentioned about taking out a line. Even as I said that, I was thinking perhaps we should leave it in.

These are the belabored decisions one makes and unmakes and remakes!

To write is to question oneself. This must be a gentle questioning for the sake of creating, aiming for What Could Be. It is all right not to know for sure about every single choice. Yet there must be a carefree sort of willingness to examine each line and let go what needs to be let go.

Ah, what poetry can teach us about life!