[ NaPo 2017 ] The Replacements

    
Ideas are the poet's challenge---  
finding something fresh to say  
in some profound or juvenile way  
that makes an impact upon  
both spectators and players  
in the Literary Arena  
   
It's a blood sport  
   
The further removed topics  
are from that organ in your chest  
the less passion is circulated throughout  
your body of work  
   
And if you keep returning to familiar  
strategies relied upon seasons past  
---playbook becomes all too predictable    
   
When your fans are no longer    
tailgating, filing into the stadium  
will you retire your jersey  
allow yourself to be benched  
while another generation of poets  
takes to the field?  
   
Not if you have Heart