Thursday, October 14, 2010

Poets' Dilemma Delight or Just Another Tuesday Night

September 24, 2010
Inspired by the poetry of Billy Collins.


Can't we just mean what we say?
Does each line need to hide meaning?

Why can't we just sit down to dinner
our plates spilling peas and carrots into each other, or
on rare occasions, asparagus lying parallel or perpendicular;
mashed potatoes, mine overflowing, yours barely covered, with gravy;
these beside various pork chops, or as generally is in this economy,
quick frozen chicken breast, fulfilling its duty as the main course;
all without the fork and the spoon doubling entendre?

Is it possible for us to sit on the couch
and watch TV for just an hour or two, commercial breaks included,
just you and I and perhaps a comforter on top and a pillow between
in the glow of thirty-six inch diagonal, non-HD wonder
without it having to mean something before we go to bed,
read a book, snuggle, and sleep?

Is it all meant to mean something
other than what happens in that moment
on the page?

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