I wish
any given cliche
was less useful.
Less of
a semi-holy relic
from a poem
no one recalls
except for that one
live phrase. Less
appropriate in so
many situations,
and more of a
guaranteed groan
from those who hear it
who then could insist
upon originality
no matter how
inefficient the
subsequent conversation
becomes or how long
it might take
to say something
as perfect as that
tired spurt of
fossilized speech
that everyone
makes lazy allowance for.
We might have
to slow down,
be more precise,
think new, talk
fresh before moving on
to the next chance
to speak and
who could say
what might
come of that?
Daily Archives: April 18, 2022
Cliche
Out On The Boards
What you used to tell yourself
was no more than a quirk
or a tic to be borne
with dignity
in spite of the shame
it engendered
regardless of whatever play
you were in
is now a wide tear
in the backdrop
wherever you go
whatever you do
The nasty old brick wall behind it
with years of grafitti
about you and your shame
can be seen from any angle
and it’s time to decide
if you are going to brazen it out
then bow to the awful reviews
or go on pretending no one can see
by reminding yourself
they keep coming to the show
The whole run is sold out and
There’s no one who can take your place
One gesture after another
toward your grandiose legacy
Drawing attention to the fact
that the crowd is thinning and
it’s not like it used to be
out here on the boards
They’re whispering as they filter out
to the street and leave you behind
Dark Matter 