the written word

“The discipline of the written word punishes  
both stupidity and dishonesty.”―John Steinbeck  
   
consider it not too absurd        
     that i prefer the page  
          to be the guardian of my word,  
               lest i should die on stage.  
                    how fleetingly the cutting tongue  
                         ignites the fire in me  
                              to ember, quickly as it's sprung,  
                                   in its entirety!  
                                   i'd rather dwell in parchment suites  
                              bookmarked by famous men,  
                         than smoothly slide off lips and teeth  
                    to perish there and then.  
               engrave me on acrylic plaques  
          or marble-carve my name  
     where all the world’s great artefacts  
may accolade my fame.  
   
© Copyright 2023 September 26  
by Clyve A. Bowen♫