Editing
Extra words in poems are like the scaffolding
surrounding a building. They support the workers as they go,
helping them rise from one level to the next,
allowing them to bring along their tools and extra materials.
But scaffolding is about the worker
not about the work. It is a buffer
and a barrier, obscuring the work from the world.
It can be a fearful endeavour, this baring one’s soul,
putting it on display for prying eyes to interpret.
It’s hard to be brave when you fear to fall,
it’s hard to be honest when no one has to be honest back, but
never hesitate to tear down the scaffolding that
hides your heart.
Let go of the words the way you’d tear down scaffolding.
Poems rise from baring
one’s soul.
Be brave.
Be honest.
Never hide your heart.
Let go of the words.
#32
Linda Studley 