NaPoWriMo 2026, Day 26 Prompt: Write your personal ars poetica, providing insight into what keeps you writing poetry, or what you think poetry should do.

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But is it, Art?

The truly ignorant wont, maybe can’t,
read, they may not listen to hear.

But why run a marathon if I know
I can never win? So few of you will
see me finish, that only I will know
my own many hours of training
and painful trials, my effort is just that—mine!

“No excuse, Sir.”
Why and why and why
did I, do I, will I do it? Why am I?
What is my purpose? Why even try?

Does a good poem define me,
or does a poor poem ruin me?
Must I meter? Must words rhyme?
Sometimes, when I climb those ladders,
yes. But only I can form my story.

Laureates are not rewarded for effort,
but for achievement. My poems are poetry
and unlike Horace, I open my literary
kimono to your trial and judgment
every time I write or perhaps think.
I will for as long as I can. Join me.

I want to be the everyman’s
simple ordinary cranky poet.

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