THE POEM

they all keep publishing poems
but is doubtful what a
poem can really accomplish.

centuries of poems
and we're back to the
starting point.

like philosophy, history,
medicine, science, poems seem to
alter things,
seem to lead toward a way
out
then falter against the
changing currents and increasing
odds.

a poem is no better than a
good can opener,
a spare tire,
or
aspirin for a
headache.

the poem isn't much
but let me tell you
if I hadn't discovered
it
I would be dead
or
you would be dead
or many people
would be
dead
or
if not dead
then horribly
multilated
in one sense or
another.

still, a poem can only
be a poem.

lines like this

floating on a page

burning holes in the face of
death

twisting the cap off tube
of
night

following the dog of summer
to the end of his
rope.

huh?

(Charles Bukowski, O Amor é Tudo Que Nós Dissemos Que Não Era)