What Poems Should Do

A post-modernist literary manifesto.

Archie MacLeish, a wise man he,
Said poems should not mean, but be.
I’ll state here that I disagree:

Poems shouldn’t be, but rather achieve,
“A poem should do” is what I believe.

Poems should work from nine to five,
Poems should check that you’re still alive.

Poems should make us self-aware,
Poems should teach us how to swear,
Poems should purify the air.

Poems should shame each sin and sinner,
Poems should notify the winner,
Poems should take you out to dinner,
Poems should say “Ich bin ein Berliner.”

Poems should act just like Aunt Emma,
Poems should help you prove a lemma.

Poems should increase elation,
Poems should reduce taxation,
Poems should take you on vacation,
Poems should meet you at the station.

Poems should give us satisfaction,
Poems should show us lots of action,
Poems should reduce each fraction,
Poems should help with trash compaction.

Poems should help keep off the bugs,
Poems should sweep stuff under rugs,
Poems should give you lots of hugs,
Poems should fill our coffee mugs,
Poems should protect from thugs,
Poems should just say no to drugs.

Poems should make you stop and think,
Poems should replace your shrink.

Poems should give you what you seek,
Poems should aid the poor and weak.

Poems should inculcate trust,
Poems should inhibit rust,
Poems should do just what they must.