by Shirley Hess

Created on: August 29, 2008

I often read a poem
And wonder
Which part here was supposed
To stop my heart,
And take my breath
And leave emotions all exposed

I often read a poem
And wonder
At which point I was to see
That openness
That forthrightness
That raw edged honesty

I wait for the aha!'
For the feeling that of that's right'
I knew it all before,
But now it's black on white.'

Poetry when done right
Can heat, can cool, can freeze
Can make weak and dizzy
Knocked over by a breeze.

I like when a poem
just holds my breath
And I need a reminder to inhale
So my apologies
if this so-called-poem
Left out that minor detail.

But I like rhythm
Quite well too.
And I hope I delivered there.
Because whether reading
Or writing it
Poetry to me is air.

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