you say
you are lonely,
why bother
with poetry?
i understand
if you want a shortcut
to hard luck
and depravity.
i get it
if you're sick
in your head
or your heart
and can't start
a real job.
because poetry is
solitary and poor
and meandering and bad
for your head and your heart,
you'll be better
off dead.
don't
start!
