18 The Meadow How to Write a Poem Christine Neuman First, read two collections of poems by Sacramento, California poets. Then, when that doesn’t give you any ideas— ponder about last year, when you actually had a life, before Covid-19 shut down the world. Right when you started going to the SPC and met a hot guy who asked, Do you want me to sit with you? Then walk outside until the leaves turn to brown-yellowish mush, then you know you’ve gone too far turn back around lay in the mud and stare into the sky, until the clouds turn into an older man’s long earlobes. Take the night off. Fuck it, take the whole week off. Take shots of vodka and then tell your ex you love him. Wake up, take it all back. Imagine yourself happy. Then take that back too. Offer to walk your neighbor’s dog, leave it at the park. Then, when your neighbor knocks at the door give them an alias, after telling them you have no idea what they’re talking about. Go to the grocery store after masturbating. Buy yourself a cake. You deserve it.
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