INSPIRED AND ADMIRED

PUT DOWN ARTISTS INSPIRE ME: INSPIRED and SELF ADMIRED

Inspiration comes from unexpected places

Especially from others with smiling expressions on their faces.

So I took pen in hand for a lofty literary review

And at midnight, after eating a late nosh, I had something to do.

My work was labeled filled with “self-pity?”

Wow, I internalized that opinion and decided to be more witty.

But I pondered that conclusion and it seemed a puzzling disconnect

It was bewildering; I did a quick mental 360: should I be wrecked?

I began to think: was I being “extra” as I crafted non LULZ poems

Or was I just branding my special form of high end well praised tomes?

How can some be critical about masterpieces filled with melancholy

And think that lower level pieces would be greater if they were jolly?

But, I investigated what is “trending” and causing much chatter

And I decided to get laser focused on that difficult matter.

I was told “sex sells” and of course that is not a shocker

Oye, with my aches and pains at my age I am just an alter kocker.

I decided to be more cheerful and cut back on the sorrow

I analyzed my mantra and I look forward to tomorrow.

I put on my Gucci tee and my bag labeled Christian Dior

And lo and behold my neighbors embraced me for never being a bore.

They greeted me in the lobby with high fives and welcomes and such

And we went to 16 Handles and devoured chocolate ice cream much.

Will this poem go viral and get the attention of Kanye?

I contacted him on twitter and asked “Whatta ya know, whatta ya say?”

He did not answer but Sharon Olds, Louise Gluck, and Rae Armantrout

Chuckled in replies and asked me to join them for tea at a place with clout.

We time traveled to the famous and legendary Algonquin Round Table

And they had red wine and I asked for a schmear mit a pumpernickel bagel.

OMG a few tables away sat the infamous and brilliant Michio Kaku

He was gobsmacked in a wormhole and said: “Who knew?”

Whatever, ver vais… let’s go back to 2021 with haste we have much to do.

I hope this poem I do not have to edit

If I do I want engraved in the Library of Congress that credit.

Yikes, this hot bad boy I love just stifled a weird sound

I hope he still digs me cause from that bagel I gained a pound.

© Marjorie J. Levine 2021