Punk rock music gave Seattle poet John Burgess the idea to write short, to "spit out what I have to say and get off the stage."
The words and wordplay in his poems mimic the rhythm of punk rock, and punk rock is usually playing as he works.
"When I don't have an idea for a poem, I'll put on music and just start free writing," he said. "I'm blasting Lou Reed right now!"
In poetry, as in punk rock, stage presence is important, Burgess said. ...