Ode to Emily

My ode to my first poet

You were my first poet,

The first one I ever read--

As a child �" exploring--

Did I even like poems?

I became a writer

Because of your own words--

You spoke into my life

As a child, before I--

I understood what it

Meant to speak life into--

Into words �" I owe you

My dreams and my purpose.

When speaking of poets,

I always refer back--

Back to you, my original,

And I owe you my thanks.

Author's Note

I realize I didn't follow Emily's rhyme scheme, but the dashes and syllables follow hers. She was the first poet I ever read, and I had an anthology of hers when I was nine. When I was older I started appreciating more poets and I have a few favorites, but Emily was the first one I ever read and the one I always come back to.