A Poet's Goal

A poem must have 
the poise and precision of an actor
who once on stage

reveals a different somebody 
to, thus, set forth 
significant memories and plots;

making feelings known 
but always with a personal twist
that may cause a gasp,

maybe sharp in-take of breath:
“Yes! Yes! I know! 
Though with me, it was slightly different!”

Thus, do poets aim
at memories, ideas, perceptions;
reactions claimed

as examples of the meaning of “human”: 
such losses, gains,
that make up the daily experience

we humans share
and are also experienced by animals,
perhaps by plants.

Too bad we don’t understand  
if and how trees talk.