Breaking Rules

I suppose it is true
that I’ve felt inclination
to break,
or bend,
rules.

It’s funny.
I don’t feel
particularly rebellious.

My rule-breaking
most often comes from an intolerance
of a prevailing paradigm,
and its confinement.

“There’s always another way.”
That’s what I told my kids,
darn near tried to install it in them.

Two of my beloved teachers
taught me about rules.

First, Christina, from many years ago.
“Once you learn the rules,
then you can break them.”
She was teaching and sharing insight
as she so often did.

In other words,
don’t be flippant in your rule-breaking.
Be wise.
But know that in some circumstances
it will be wise to break the rules.

And then, more recently,
there is Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.
What a delight it was
to be welcomed by her joy
of writing, and of, well, humaning.

“All poems love breaking rules.”
Thank you.
Yes.

The rules make perfect sense.
In a lot of circumstances.
Particularly rules for human kindness.
OK, guidelines and encouragements.

Rules make perfect sense,
except when they don’t.

Thank you to my teachers
and fellow journeyers.

I’m glad to know of your rule following,
and,
your rule breaking.