Not A Poem to Read Aloud

There are some poems

I cannot read aloud

though the poet

has been true

to the form

and

with a unique voice

has placed truth

stripped bare

upon a page

My eyes slide

over the patterns

of black letters

that shape the record

of the poet’s sight

The perfect—

so carefully chosen—

words strike

like a double-barreled

shotgun exploding,

tearing the surface

of my safe place

with a scattering of

birdshot—

wounding, but not killing

Yet, to read aloud

in this poet’s voice

would be choosing

to swallow flaming

incense,

to crack my teeth

on a mouthful

of diamonds

perfectly cut

and choke

on my own blood

No, let this poet’s voice

keep to a yet distant

ambush,

be held to the limited

range of words on a page

It is enough

that I am merely

peripherally violated—

Ohh…yes, yes…

There are some poems

I will never read aloud

#PowerOfPoems #Poetry #ReadingPoetry #Vulnerability