While being interviewed for this book, Anne Hills said, .“A poem is like a baby. You have to be gentle with it, especially at first..” When you are writing, especially in the creation stage, you have to separate the creation from the criticism. Let the poem flow out. Don.’t stifle it if it tries to go in an unexpected direction. That might kill it. Write it first, and then critique it. Like a newborn baby, a poem may be delicate at first, but it will get stronger as it grows. As it gets older, it can handle a little more discipline.