Manifesto (I Hate Writing Poetry)

I hate writing poetry

            Because once I’m finished with one poem             

I want to write another

            And I really shouldn’t

I hate writing poetry

            Not because I think it’s bad

But because I know it’s bad

            And no one can tell me otherwise

I hate writing poetry

            Because sometimes you have to read it

In front of other people

            And they don’t like it either

I hate writing poetry

            Because I feel proud of it for a minute

Then I remember that it’s bad

            It smells dead, like a rotting carcass

I hate writing poetry…

Every time I try to sound profound

I sound like I’ve copied the works of the greats

            Every time I try to just write

It sounds like I don’t care

The truth is I don’t hate writing poetry

            I hate trying to sound like I’m someone I’m not

I hate repeating myself for dramatic effect

            Maybe if I say this phrase three more times I’ll get a good grade

No one writes for fun; it’s always for English class; some people try, but

            Others don’t care at all

Why don’t people just care?

            Not care about the assignment, but about exploring something new

Learn something from poetry

            I am so sick of people not caring about anything but themselves

Which is saying something because

I’m the most selfish person I know

            And if I’m selfish, I’d like to be selfish

I am so tired of trying to be something else

            I just want to write a poem or a manifesto or something

I want it to mean something to me and no one else

            I just want it to write itself or maybe flow out like water from a tap

I want it to be for me and only me

            I don’t want people to tell me what I mean by this line

I want it to mean what I say it does

I’m not writing this for a grade or for someone else

            This is only for me, and I need to remind myself of that

But you’re expected to be concerned about other people and help them

            But what if I don’t want to?

I hate writing poetry

            Because now that this one is over

I want to write more

            And I’m going to