by Mimi Uddin
Illustration by Lobke Peers/iStockphoto
I can't make stories
I can't make stories,
Why?
I just can't
Why?
If I asked myself this everyday,
I might end up writing a story.
Stories are long and short,
Stories are boring and fun,
Stories are of human nature,
Poems are free verse.
Don't make stories
Poems can be words,
And anything,
And everything,
You want to say out loud,
But you can only whisper.
Now, don't you start thinking
Of asking me again,
Why I won't make stories.
If you haven't figured it out,
I must say, you should never be
Allowed to read a poem ever again.
I can't make stories,
I am harsh, cold,
I hate love and everything in between,
So don't be asking me anything ridiculous.
That's why I can't make stories
Stories are made of dreams,
Dreams of fire.
Dreams of werewolves.
Dreams of all colors.
Dreams of black and white.
Dreams of your rainbows.
Dreams that are sweet.
Dreams that are sour.
Dreams that are usual.
Dreams that are unusual.
Dreams that are safe.
Dreams that are dangerous.
Which, I can never make
Stories—stories and novels.
I shall not,
And I cannot make stories.
That's final—the end.
I can't make stories.
Copyright © 2011 by Mimi Uddin.
The poet is twelve years old. Her charming poem has refreshed me this evening and also put me in mind of Dr. Suess's great book, Green Eggs and Ham, in which Sam-I-Am also enjoyed the luxuries of refusal.
Ah, Mimi, I'm sorry, but I believe that the stories will come looking for you.
April 27th, 2011 - 6:14 pm
very nice poem mimi u r a g8 peot
April 27th, 2011 - 8:58 pm
Excellent job Mimi! I am so proud of you and proud of the fact that you are my sister. The poem looks great. Keep up the good work and I shall see more poems from you in the future.
April 29th, 2011 - 4:14 pm
Nice job Mimi. I like you’re poem…cousin. Yeah, keep up the good work.
May 3rd, 2011 - 3:39 pm
Great poem