How Poetry ate my day

 
It started with just a few breadcrumbs
Tasty morsels that led me tentatively out the door
just a little farther….
looking back nervously at my Task List
Just one more taste
and then I’ll go back
 
He pulled up all smiles and sweetness
saying here’s a Special Something I just know you’ll like...
But – All the Things – what about the Things I’m supposed to do?
I’ll serve you just what you need to get started, he said
I’ll have you back in a jiffy, he said
and with a glance over my shoulder at Responsibility
I said Ok, just for a minute
and climbed into his windowless van
 
But it didn’t take a minute.
Poetry took me for a joyride through the back roads of soul
showed me sweeping vistas and secret gardens
impaled me with phrases and growled lullabies
ravaged me in the back seat
and left my heart burnt and aching
with yearning and regret
 
He dropped me off on the front step
as promised
waved me off toward Obligation
and I watched him speed off with my hand on the door...
heart heavy with the crush of Expectations
 

Then  
 
 

I walked back down the steps
turned toward the tracks
and hopped on that crazy train  
to follow in his wake
 
Duty be damned --
I’m off to where the poets dwell
Where the music leaves bruises
and colours taste like sour candy
 
Don’t wait up.