What wit holds a man who tries to explain
And preaches and rambles and seems quite inane
To the people he tries to reach who he’s said
Are nearly the same; share a common thread?
Is it really alright to take this advice
From the wit of a man just rolling a dice
Assuming about the way people are
Just like the astrologer looks to the star?
Though much of this mess of massive prose
Is poetic in nature and naturally flows
It’s still a bit messy, rough on the edges
Balancing poetry on steep ledges
When it all comes down, what is left?
A novel that comitted poetic theft?

(This poem was for a school assignment to write a poem in response to Walt Whitman. I don't hate Whitman, but I do think his poetry uses too few poetic techniques.)