“This Is Not the Perfect Poem” By Matt Hubert © 2005

I wrote the perfect poem
many lines and rhymes ago,
flawlessly, and without error.
Nine students told me so.

Perfection: proof of poet?
No, I’m still a nobody—
writing words seldom heard
in anonymity.

Nine in six billion
liked my poem a lot.
Great poetry? Or just
the best that I’ve got?

If the world never reads
me, they can’t disapprove.
My choice is simple:
I’ll let you choose

to read or read over,
to listen or to hear.
Whether you decide to care
or not, my firm stance is clear.

Language and words
move my thoughts along.
As long as there are words,
I’ll write until I’m wrong.

The way that I see it,
I’m right in writing, right now.
One day you’ll read a Hubert
and respond, simply, “Wow.”