ON NOT WRITING FICTION

   I’ll write a poem, yes, but not a story.
   I’d rather think of rhymes that fit—like gory, glory;
   But making plots and themes and characters,
   Imagining that this or that occurs,
   Seems counter to the way my mind is made;
   Yet tight parameters of verse obeyed,
   A shapely sonnet neatly turned and tuned
   Is what I do.  My tale would be lampooned.

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