a pianist knows his next note
by virtue of the previous and
his fingers follow by leading him
where to go

in much the same way my thoughts
spill forth from my mouth as victims of
every word spoken to me over
the years and i feel trapped in
shrink-wrapped reworked quotes
plagiarizing vomit from other mouths

lost

unable to paint a canvas
of my own without my fingers
following learned instinct

knowing just what to say after this
word because
they’ve

heard it all before.

Some of you
you try so hard
I understand
you’re trying

but I wonder
do you get
all of the things
you seem to get
or are you lying?

paint a picture
show it to me
will the brush marks
stand the scrutiny?
Dear I wonder
do you get it?
Yes, I understand
you’re trying
but I can’t be sure
you’re half
you say you are