Title: A Different Art
Fandom: Fandom
Rating: G-rated
Length: 232 words
Notes: With apologies to Elizabeth Bishop and to the villanelle form, with which I have taken terrible liberties. Thanks to mergatrude for not telling me to stop. <3
Summary: The art of tagging’s not too hard to master


The art of tagging’s not too hard to master;
so many fic are ripe with the implied—
just guess what keywords searches will be cast for.

Relationships and warnings, natch—now muster
up your thoughts: add freeforms, don’t be shy!
The art of tagging’s not too hard to master.

You have to lure them in, or else, disaster!
I cannot count how many deeply sighed
regrets I’ve known, at hit counts un-amassed, ugh.

So duck your doubts, and bang those tags out faster—
one fan’s poison is another’s prize.
The art of tagging’s not too hard to master.

Don’t worry about spoilers; best to cast a
wide net—who’s on top and who has died.
Before they’ll click, some readers need an answer.

And throw in some bon mots? Your list grows vaster—
‘twould be a shame to stop now—improvise!
The art of tagging’s not too hard to master.

Include all sex acts, tropes, and reference past or
present memes; catch fandom’s knowing eye
with your take on who is a disaster.

Your state of mind, blood-alcohol, tests passed or
when last you slept—or not? You must decide
what line to draw, decide before you plaster
atop your fic a meme-stuffed filibuster.
The art of tagging’s not too hard to master.
Bedeck your fic with lures, or else, disaster!
And (don't forget!) guess what keywords searches will be cast for.