Amateur Poems

Kimberly Schleder

am.a.teur

Late 18th century: from Italian amatore, from Latin amator ‘lover,’ from amare ‘to love”

We’re a gaggle of good intentions

stitched together in pen.

We tried to form a poem,

but the metaphor was thin.

With memories for eyes,

mistakes for our hands,

you know what they say

about best laid plans…

Each limb is a scar,

is a stab to the heart,

a back that can’t carry

the birth of a star.

But you can call yourself Poet if it’s something you love;

the child gladly is what the child gladly does.