Spring Treats?

    The spoken word, depending on the orator, can have a profound effect upon the listener. Likewise, the written word, whether a story, an autobiography, an historical account, or even a fortune cookie, also can influence a reader. This is not only due to the content of the speech (or work being read) but relies, sometimes subtly and other times overtly, on the arrangement of the subject matter and thus how the material is presented to its participants.

    Poetry, therefore, can also be said to have a visual aesthetic - how a poem "appears" on a page can affect the apprehension and appreciation of that work's content. A "written" work's page-layout and line-breaks, meant to emphasize pacing, rhymes, alliteration, and/or emotions (between sentences and stanzas and chapters), can be intentionally designed by its author to convey meaning beyond that of just the arbitrary display of its text and presentation of its subject matter.

    With this in mind, the unique settings available to you on your digitial reading device (for font size and color, and such other controls that can alter the presentation of a 'page of text') presents a daring challenge to poets, and to publishers of poetry, in the digital age. This poem, by working closely with the author, is presented digitally in a line-and-page manner that strives to preserve the author's intent, as best as is possible, through a variety of font, color, page, and device formats. Please realize that the enjoyment and appreciation of this work can be changed simply by changing the settings on your reader. Enjoy!

    "Spring Treats?" is a playful exploration of seasonal treats being served out of season. Each 'pair' of stanzas (three pairs for a total of six stanzas) has the same basic format and brings to light a different treat and how such a treat is shared. This is not a rhyming poem.