On Being Asked To Write a Poem (poetry)

I wish now I’d been a little braver —
but you never know how people will take things —
it seems they censor first and criticise
before they try to understand
exactly what is being said.

The first rule is to communicate — take care
the words don’t go above too many heads —
and stick to truth — always
say it how it is — give lines the space
to breathe and settle — sink
their meaning in.

Memorable? It’s hard to carve a rhyme
or rhythm that might survive in this so fickle world —
a fold of paper with its written claim
is vulnerable to fire’s forgetfulness
but words that lodge — invade the consciousness
assault the brain with images and take
those risks with language — they’re the ones
that grab attention — startle and provoke.

They strut the mental catwalk
daring in their show —
provocative with beauty — unashamed
how naked words can look.