this is my voice

what should be my voice
when writing poetry
– therein lies confusion

avoiding metaphor
and extravagant words
– appears too simple for some

while attending rhyme,
rhythm and meter
– others find unacceptable

following my own path
learning and growing all the while
– must be the way forward

because even though I could
copy their ways of writing
– reproduce their style

I don’t really want that
because their words aren’t mine
– my voice is my own