Tangentially, in Response to Marge Piercy's "For the Young who Want To"

Why talk to me about talent? Can't you see
I'm on fire?
There's no point threatening me
with an extinguisher
or with extinction. I'm on fire.

Bonfires require no applause,
just fuel, heat and air. Who ever published
a forest fire? Who cares if phlogiston
is imaginary, when fire is real?

You can gather up the ashes when I'm done, ruminate
over genius or its lack, the artistic life,
the value of a classical education, the nature of inspiration-- but right now, shut up
and let me warm your hands.

Available! High-Voltage Lines, Knocking from Inside