Rules
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.
ReplyDelete