Poetry Sample

Reticent

Emotion’s an unappetizing platter,

filled up with squishy innards, slime, and slugs -

or worse, with sentimental subject matter

like birthday parties, puppy dogs, and hugs.

I’ll take a place among the sober Stoics

and light my lamp to shine upon Ideas;

illuminate some genuine heroics

or place a humorous mask on top of tears.

I’ve no wish to make a display of feelings

in poetry – it offends self restraint.

I wouldn’t want to talk about the dealings

that life has dealt – for indiscreet, I ain’t.

I must reject the thought that poet’s art

subordinates the head to foolish heart.

published in Light Quarterly, in the spring-summer 21012 issue