March 31, 2010

Say Instead

don’t say
you cannot believe
you’re in love again.

say instead you are pleased
that the cup on the shelf
is battered metal
but still holds water,
or wine, or paper clips,
that it remains fillable.

don’t say you’re afraid,

say instead that the cat
is unaccustomed to sleeping
on the back of the couch
and is striving to seem at ease
but looks like he knows he may fall.

don’t say
you are sure of failure.

say instead that when the nut falls
from its branch,
two scars always remain: one on the tree,
one on the nut. say instead
that breakage precedes growth.

the world offers you
agreement upon agreement.
take what help is offered,
no matter whence it comes.

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About Tony Brown

A poet with a history in slam, lots of publications; my personal poetry and a little bit of daily life and opinions. Read the page called "About..." for the details. View all posts by Tony Brown

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 at 7:56 am and tagged with meditations, poems, poetry and posted in poetry. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

8 responses to “Say Instead”

Gail
April 1st, 2010 at 3:53 pm

This was truly and movingly intense. I love it.

Reply
Max
April 1st, 2010 at 12:10 am

I dig this, sir.

Reply
- Tony Brown
  April 1st, 2010 at 7:48 am
  
  Thanks, Max. Like your blog, too.
  
  Reply
  - Max
    April 1st, 2010 at 7:29 pm
    
    Thank you! I should really do more with it.
Louise Robertson
March 31st, 2010 at 10:47 am

Really liked this. Thanks.

Reply
- Tony Brown
  March 31st, 2010 at 12:05 pm
  
  Thanks, Louise.
  
  Reply
pearlnelson
March 31st, 2010 at 9:00 am

This is so wonderful and true. I’m fighting this battle now. It’s never been easy for me to let someone in. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Pearl

Reply
- Tony Brown
  March 31st, 2010 at 9:43 am
  
  I really hope it works out, Pearl. Glad the poem was helpful.
  
  Reply