THE PARADE OF THE WORD SOLDIERS

Poets at parade, on the print of pages.
Scattered words enlist,
In lists of wistful phrases.

Officers are nouns, sergeants wear the verb,
Shouting out their order,
Aligning praise to serve.

Formations as at the periods, soldiers on parade;
The capitals as flags,
Commas rank and grade.

Verse in step with stanza, uniformed or free;
Counting out by measures,
The poet's infantry.

Period by period, part of the viewing stand,
Orders the officers,
The rhythm of the band.

Authors of the armies, polished brass and book;
Words as weapons soldiers,
Dress right dress, salute!