poetry wants you

Poetry opens its arms to people society has trouble accepting.

he can overdo you

When you think you’re overdoing it, read some Swinburne and accept your excess.

let me tell you

Gamblers will let slip news of their recent winnings while being stoic and tight-lipped as regards to their long losing streaks, and it’s the same with writers and their acceptances against the larger accumulation of rejection slips.

wrong from the gitgo

He was never going to write the right poetry.

gulf and gift

Art should begin with aspiration for perfect execution, but end with acceptance of the gift of what is given.

acceptable poem

My poem was accepted. It’s perfectly acceptable, if unexceptional. The poem has mastered the secret handshake and matches well with editorial tastes. The poem thus conforms to the fashions of the times, securing its acceptability into the good company of its fellow poems. In other words, my poem goes along to get along.