Poetic Inspiration

I do not seek to emulate great poets of the past,
for if they were any good, their poems are bound to last.
Why do they need an imitator? Better we’re original.
Modern times do not demand a message aboriginal.
Chaucer’s fine for Chaucer and he was an inspiration,
but Middle English has long passed its date of expiration.
Shakespeare is ubiquitous. No need for one Will more.
Leave Love’s Labor’s Lost to him–and Lady Macbeth’s Gore.
Let Frost mend all the fences. Leave Ozymandius to Shelley.
Nineteenth century topics are best left to film or telly.
What’s left to modern poets? Where can they get their start?
Leave imitation on the shelf and merely write your heart.

We were to write a poem dealing with poets who have influenced us..positively or negatively. For NaPoWriMo 2020 Day 14