The Poet’s Manifesto

by Hank Edson

1.

The first priority is to keep a shelter over my head 
      and enough of my health to keep me thankful 
            just being alive ~

2.

The second priority is to keep myself independent 
      to pursue by my own steps the goals and pleasures 
            most important to me ~ 
      This will require abandoning other goals and pleasures, 
            even ones that are granted standards 
                  for everyone else.

3.

The third priority is to be aware 
      of life as it passes, never to return, 
            and participate ~ 
      This will require balancing my values with what is unknown 
            on the fulcrum of my experience 
                  and having faith 
            Because it is magically easy to enjoy the facts 
                  that prove that the unknown is unmeasurable;
                        and still we rest level.

4.

The fourth priority is to exercise my faculties 
      in everything that I do and to which I submit 
            consciously ~ 
      This will require a well understood use of honesty 
            sensitive and respectful and earnest 
                  in myself 
            Because honesty is the seed of discipline 
                  and discipline must be applied most carefully 
                        to unlock my potential, 
                  And yet marvelously, not only my potential will be made real 
                        but my first three priorities will be made easier 
                              and endlessly enjoyable.

5.

The fifth priority is to work toward 
      my continual expansion in the process 
            of love ~ 
      This will require a genuine sacrifice of my belongings 
            my ambitions, my pride, eventually 
                  even my life 
            Because sacrifice is in the nature 
                  of giving and giving is the essence 
                        of creation, 
                  And yet marvelously, I believe I will find in nature 
                        that sacrifice is like learning: 
                              a transformation 
                        Making all come together as one fulfillment of 
                              the five priorities asserted as the same blissful self 
                                   perpetuation: love.
Copyright (c) Hank Edson 2007