for mervyn at seventy

a poem should be tight as a virgin's cunt
subtlety's a plus though not the only one
words should shine bright as morning sun
and when needed should be short and blunt
each poem's a complex sort or stunt
you're never sure that you have got it done
until the rhythms like spring water run
joy is the heart of every writer's hunt
what you taught stays that's just the case
when the teacher is the one who really knows
not just the craft but how to teach the art
each poem takes up a particular space
as in the garden each fresh herb or rose
sits where it best rewards the soul and heart