Poet-Painter

Don’t let yourself be
too hung up on a pen.
Don’t let fingers, hands, arms,
become an extension of a keyboard.
An automaton: how can he write poetry?

Do not be too solid,
firm and unyielding in your existence.
When you walk a path,
you must be inadequate
to find your feet.

You will strain to hear
through a corn ear,
grope to see through a potato eye;

as your heart grows eyes,
your muse will become music
to your ears.

When you speak of a rose,
it will be more than just red
or yellow or pink.

We will share not only the texture
of the petals in your fingers
but also the thorns
and we will taste the blood.

Underground Turtles