Despite honeyed drip
and soft petal whispers,
pretty wrapper or gilded lily,
the essence of you is spoken.
Conveyed or betrayed,
confirmed or confessed.
Oh, how much more honest
is a passionate shout!
That cannot be less than it is.
Though, roughly entered,
somewhat noble in its sharing.
I prefer that simple voice.
That uncluttered heart of speaking.
That knows what is it saying
for it says it plain enough,
no mistaking.
The eye looks deeper
and sees farther
than the moments first blush
Past the hours first waking.
Oh, how disconcerting!
One who watches only wording.
Shakespeare and Poe
Melville and Hawthorne
ministers of the shape.
Worshipers of the spaces
between lines and beneath them.
Crafting and compelling
confession in a blushing starkness
that is a black type cast
upon the white innocence of paper.
Oh, how your words reveal you.
Abridged version:
Oh, how much more honest
is a passionate shout!
That cannot be less than it is.
Though, roughly entered,
somewhat noble in its sharing.
I prefer that simple voice.
That uncluttered heart of speaking.
That knows what is it saying
for it says it plain enough,
no mistaking.
Bexfizz Press 