Mock Poet

 

Out of the blue of the internet

someone

asked me, as a non-poet,

to recommend a poem

for a special issue on non-poets

recommending poets.

 

Okay! I said. But!

There is a problem!

(Drumroll.)

 

I am a poet!

(Imagine a fanfare here.)

(You can find one on the internet.)

 

Out of the blue of the internet

someone

responded. “That’s okay,” they said.

They added, for encouragement:

“I play tennis sometimes.

But it’s not like I’m a tennis player.

Hobbyists are fine.”

 

Hey! I said.

(Imagine a sad fanfare here.)

(Imagine a weeping emoji.)

 

I have a book!

I am a real poet!

 

The internet shimmered.

The fanfare died.

I recommended

someone.

And sat down to write

whatever this is.

 

Not a poem.