(Today and tomorrow we are pleased to present the poetry of Bart Edelman)

Troublesome as it may be,

You need to hook the reader

At the very outset, my friend.

Connect on such a level,

The poor soul can’t avoid

Advancing to the next line,

And, hopefully, well beyond that.

Throw in a clever serpent,

Four blind cows on a couch,

Perhaps, a darling damsel,

Dressed in a turquoise smock.

Now you’ve hit your stride.

Take a break, if warranted.

Stroll around the block.

Gaze at the high tension wire.

Juggle all the possibilities.

Then return to reality—

You silly, little aerialist.

Here’s where the fun begins.

Consider the options available.

Connect each dot accordingly.

Breathe a magical sigh.

Put your puppy to bed.

Do what this poem hasn’t done.

Bart Edelman