The Romantic Editor

Standards are many
Subjective and cranky
Yet accuracy is expected
In the name of logic.

Language is abused
Punctuation overused
Just to protect a profession
called copyediting.

Apply your mind
the supervisors say
Command of the language
is of no assistance,
Vocabulary is of no relevance
Too distracted for copyediting
and too analytical for copywriting.

The romantic editor needs a place
even if he is a misfit in disgrace;
With emphasis on call to duty
Perishes linguistic beauty.