I will read you the poem before shaping–Accepted to San Diego Poetry Annual 2013

I will read you the poem before shaping
Before the silver threaded screws were twisted to the tightening
Before they took what I wanted to say
And made it firm

I will read you the poem before cropping
The sharp blades of the scissors
Pruning the thorns and extraneous leaves and stems
Leaving the flower I sought to display

Read with your own shaping tool
Tighten, slash, burn with a cleansing torch
Help me to grow through pain

8/11/11