R - Not sure how to put my thoughts into words, there's so much here.

powerful!

Snagged by the title (of course) this verse got my head to spinning. So true so often, what your dad said. So true, too, your rejoinder.

Wonderful...xox

Flow on, editing is what editors are for ;).

Rated for advice that applies only when it does.

Beautiful. I love it! Rated.

Gail: I remember you're telling me about your Dad, who sounded, if it's possible, like a colorful Hemingway. I utterly believe he told you to kill the babies (the way I've heard it is "slaughter your lambs"). It's good advice, especially for a journalist facing an unforgiving copy desk. But I wonder if your Dad's aware of how difficult he would make it for anyone trying to describe him as starkly as he counselled you to do.

Shows the meaning in the form....great.

Ha! The term I learned is "kill your darlings." Your poem, without a single unnecessary "darling," is lovely.

how i love this

Catching up. I was thinking along these lines today. You've said it wonderfully.