as a poet

my most potent weapon

is my ability to steal your soul

and make it all about me

my ability to document your

heart aches

and

falls

and make them seem feeble

like fruitcake

and a corny game show host


as a poet

i've invested in a license

to satirize your life

make it insincere

and silly

a barbie doll existence

i've invested in a license

to exploit you

to exagerate your humanity

and magnify your tears


as a poet

i've learned to suck the spirit

from the most alive of beings

to numb life

by recording it, dulling it-

on paper

i've learned to suck

the color

the taste

and touch

of reality

and spit it out

on lined tree intestines

feeding on the death of the element

that creates life


as a poet

i've learned to smile and applaud

misfortune

and beautify its ugliness

i've learned to kill

in a subtle yet

deadly way