I construct poems like I construct collages.

Journal Entry Friday, December 22, 2023

Fusion Series #3172 - 2012 - collage on paper

I construct poems
like I construct collages.
I take little snippets
That I find
from here and there
I like bits and pieces
removed from context
That could be about anywhere,
or anyone,
or any time,
or any place.
Usually unburdened by pronouns
Usually two or three
or maybe six words.
Maybe with punctuation,
but maybe not.
Then I spend all of my time
arranging,
editing,
moving this to here
or that to there.
Casting things aside
that don’t fit
collecting more.

Why write anything? I wonder.
There are already
too many words bussing everywhere
floating around,
trapped on paper,
chattering in minds,
carved in stone,

Painted, printed, posted
written with pens and pencils
slipped into policies and propaganda.

Why disturb the quiet
of my own mind
dredging the depths
in the places where
there are no words
to capture the delicate
and degrade it
with a clumsy translation
That means nothing?

Still, I enjoy listening
and being surprised by
the happenstance
and the blitherblather
of the politicians
and the murmers
and sweet nothings
of the poets.

Most of it is of no interest to me
but there are those little gems
found among the river rock
the ones you want to pick up
and put in your pocket
and later on the table
or fireplace mantel
To look at and hold
a second or third time.

Since I am a collagist
I collect these kind of things
And then see what I can do with them.
I ask myself what attracts me.

And under it,
I already know I am everyone
Just as you are
I wrote everything ever written or whispered,
shouted or screamed,

As you have.

(a poem I actually wrote myself about making collage poetry)