Poetry’s Not for Others

Hey you, poetry person!

Yes, you! Pay attention! I’m talking to you!
Poetry’s not just for grown-ups, it’s not just for others,
It’s not just for your swotty sisters, or your clever brothers.
It’s for YOU, YOU, YOU!

It goes rhyming along to the rhythm of the street,
It runs up behind you, in its squeaky, sneakered feet
It taps you on the shoulder, it says a loud ‘BOO!’
Poetry’s not for others,
It’s for YOU, YOU, YOU!

It dances in your head, it beats in your heart,
It whispers in the wind, it blows your thoughts apart,
It sings out loud, and it hums a silk-soft tune,
Poetry’s not for others,
It’s for YOU, YOU, YOU!

It’s there to be read, it’s there to be sung
It’s there to giggle at, it’s there to have fun
It’s there to help you, if you’re feeling sad and blue
Poetry’s not for others,
It’s for YOU, YOU, YOU!

And you can whisper it, and you can shout it,
and you can talk together about it,
and you can improvise and write it too,
Poetry’s not for others,
It’s for YOU, YOU, YOU!

So now poetry person, let’s hear you say it,
Shout it to the rooftops, sing it, dance it, sway it
Yell it, bellow it, roar it loud and free
Poetry’s not for others,
It’s for ME, ME, ME!