"Strange elation" | 11

The moment that he spoke that way of pain
the sound of pain   the cry of souls in grief
I wondered   if my life went down the drain
would this be good for poetry?   the thief

must ply a trade   quite different from the salesman
the artist's way   is not the politician's
each needs   a different medicine for what ails them
that's why   the world has numerous physicians

"And so"   I thought   "the aim of love   for poetry
might differ from   the aim of love for those
who fill the bill   of life's desire for progeny
or steady jobs   or lawns   & walls   & wills"

for poets   love's a singular occupation
where living death   gives rise to strange elation



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