Why Don't You Cry...

(…and Write a Poem About It)

Not to make myself seem a little too sensitive
or at least delicate in certain matters of
a couples playful banter but
my wife likes to play a little rough from time to time
and when I lightheartedly say “hey you’re hurting me”
she aptly replies “Why don’t you cry and write a poem about it.”

Now, I’m usually looking for inspiration for my next piece
but sometimes my muse flicks a little too hard
in those “sensitive” spots and that when I retract just a bit.
I’ll pout jokingly and that’s when she says
“Why don’t you cry and write a poem about it.”

 “OK maybe I will” I usually reply but the time never comes.

So a couple of days go by and as I’m looking for that next sign
or the Suggestion Box as Billy calls it
I find motivation when I least expect it
that’s unless she looks at me a certain way
then I get all warm and fussy and I spill something…
corny, horny or all together sappy.

But there have been times when I’ve inspired myself
Just by a random thought
Or the lyrics of a song
Or the passage of a book I remember suddenly
Or maybe even something that touched me deeply

And as I sit there quietly
Listening to the sound of my voice inside my head
Giving me the words and directions
I feel my eyes begin to well up just a bit
Enough to write a poem about it.


#BillyCollins