A Poem

 A POEM

"A poem should not mean

But be,"

Said Archibald MacLeish.

            **********

I happen to disagree.

So far as I can see

A poem should more

Than simply be.

            **********

A poem should be beautiful,

Or perhaps thoughtful.

A poem should help us fight,

Or offer some rare insight.

A poem could even give us pleasure

Beyond measure.

            **********

With joy a poem should leap,

With grief a poem should weep.

With anger a poem should cry,

With love a poem should fly.

            **********

But most of all,

If I would recall

A poem in later times

Or other climes,

A poem must more than simply be.

A poem must mean -- to me.