Bunting's advice to young poets
I SUGGEST
1. Compose aloud; poetry is a sound. 2. Vary rhythm enough to stir the emotion you want but not so as to lose impetus. 3. Use spoken words and syntax. 4. Fear adjective; they bleed nouns. Hate the passive. 5. Jettison ornament gaily but keep shape
Put your poem away till you forget it, then: 6. Cut out every word you dare. 7. Do it again a week later, and again.
Never explain - your reader is as smart as you.
