Journal

Years ago, I tried writing poetry in a palm-sized journal. Convinced myself I had to shrink my feelings down To a single page- Make them all line up Single file Neat and presentable With their uniforms ironed, tucked in And ready to go on stage. It wasn't long before I caught myself Teetering off the edge, Felt the thin slice of a paper cut Laid out in front of me. I gave up writing for a long time after that. I have a new notebook to write in now- Two actually. I write fast Big scribbles of words, Half crossed out And rewritten. I let the poems come whenever they wish, And I give them all the room they need.