Differences

I’ve tried to write the way you do.

Tried to splay my words out

Drawing faint lines across table tops and screens

Trying to keep the disconnected

And yet still coherent.

I tried throwing poems in blenders.

Squishing out all the juices

And making dizzying cocktails

That would make even you

Confused.

But I think I figured it out.

I’ve got one foot in and one foot out.

I may never be a great poet.

May never have my name in lights

My books on library shelves.

But I do have something that you

Don’t seem to have.

I have the charm for the everyday.

I can charm the pants off people.

And I know you

With your silver tongue

Can goad a few people into making your life easier.

But I’ve never used my power for evil

And people have never doubted me.

When I open my mouth

People genuinely like me.

And you?

You don’t have that gift.

All you have is tricks and charades.

So keep scratching your poetry on bloody walls.

I am going to go out and change the world.

Because even as I write this poem

I’m making plans for turning everything around.