Rules
 |
| TeachHUB |
Rules
Rules are bones—
a skeleton’s scheme, not cage or gate;
they hold up your poem
so muscles of meaning can move weight.
They’re scaffolds, not shackles—
bend them, don’t break them with doubt;
they help your ideas stand tall—
not lock your imagination out.
-----
-----
©2026 Christopher Reilley I would love to know what you thought about this piece.
Please consider leaving a comment.
Love this poem. Great job.
ReplyDeleteWell this is quite the brilliant take on the word.
ReplyDeleteLOVE: "They’re scaffolds, not shackles"
YES!
De
Chris, your poem makes me think of poems being different kinds of dancers.
ReplyDeleteIf only all philosophy could be written so poetically: "They’re scaffolds, not shackles" -- I agree.
ReplyDeleteExcellent! -lynn__
ReplyDeleteA great take on the prompt, Chris, with rules as a skeleton to hold up a poem, rather than dictate what it looks like fleshed out. I love the alliterative ‘muscles of meaning can move weight’.
ReplyDeleteeric here. yes scaffolds!
ReplyDeleteWonderful poem. They are scaffolds not shackles. They help your ideas stand tall. Love this.
ReplyDeleteHa, we are somewhat on the same wavelength with this prompt.
ReplyDeleteSometimes shackles are good. Freedom is overrated! Nice write Chris 👏
ReplyDelete