On Receiving a Birthday Greeting from the Vet for a Cat
Who Has Been Dead for Several Years
How kind of you to think of him today.
We’d share your wishes if there were a way
to let him know, although it’s sad but true
that while alive he was not fond of you.
Poets’ Lot
You write. Submit. Then wait.
Not certain of the fate
of what you sent, you stew.
There’s not much more to do
But leave it to its fate.
You try to fill your time.
There’s not much else to do.
You understand the rhyme
That occupied your time
may not be prized or sought.
It’s clear to you that rhyme,
however dearly bought
By you and fiercely sought,
may meet a dire fate,
however dearly bought.
You write. Submit. Then wait.
And, when you’ve learned its fate,
well then, there’s more to do.
You resubmit. Then wait.
And while you wait, you stew.
Bruce Bennett is the author of numerous collections of poetry and poetry chapbooks. His poetry website is https://justanotherdayinjustourtown.com.