A poem is not a test.
A poem is a magical arrangement of words
that delivers feelings.
Poetry and music speak directly to your heart.
When listening to a piece of music,
the melody and the lyrics wash over you,
You find yourself in a particular mood.
You would not think to analyze how that happened
So why burden a poem with such a thought?
The only question to ask of a poem
is not “What did the poem mean?”
but rather, “What mood does the poem deposit
into your heart?”
To You, Karla Kuskin
I think I could walk
Through the simmering sand
If I held your hand.
I think I could swim
The skin shivering sea
If you would accompany me.
And run on ragged, windy heights,
Climb ragged rocks
And walk on air.
I think I could do anything al all
If you were there.
No need to ask the meaning of this poem—
Your heart knows how to respond.
I believe more people will enjoy
poetry when they get out from under
the burden to explain it
