Milton with Mustard on his Shirt

I must know
if Monet ever sneezed,
if Melville mixed up
yours and you'res,
if Moore misplaced
her keys.

Did Shakespeare sometimes
stay in bed on sunny Sundays
snoring?

Did Whitman ever wake up
with strange wo(men) in the
morning?

Does Carson often buckle
and order awful take-out
food?

Has R. Hoyt ever burned
a song just 'cause he was in
the mood?

If you say no
and tell me that these minds
were all pristine,
that writing comes from style
and style comes from being

composed with class
and careful, that they
were never ordinary,
than I'll retire
regretfully, that's too large
a load to carry.