Poet In Arms (2022)

Poet
do not weave
your fabric of veiled myth
or speak to us in tangled metaphors

help us see
the real place of light
hear the clear voice of truth
know the pure heart of justice
feel the strength of courage

look poet
look at the terrible suffering
tell us where that is birthed

tell us how to see
with our own eyes
see clearly

so that we might reach in
and tear out the pain
uproot the sorrow
crush the evil

you see many things poet
but you talk in riddles
you avoid the cold
and the hard way
of uncluttered
truth speak

instead you shade
with dense metaphor
with esoteric imagery
but this is not that time

look poet
look into the fire
feel it burn your eyes
char your soul
tell us how that feels

let us hear you scream
rally us
set us ablaze

we wish not a troubadour
we seek a warrior

lift your pen
like a sword
and strike down
the imbalance

show us the grip
and we will join the battle

but you must tell us
poet
tell us what is real
in the power
that is plain language

we will listen
we can be brave

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rob kistner © 2022