Only Words Are On Offer

On a day like today I try to imagine that if I write a poem

the madness will end. If only poetry could

push away

the sadness,

the anger,

the frustration,

overwhelming,

nauseating

on and on

just angry

and sad.

I could breath again.

It's probably not a good idea to write poetry

on a day like this one

when you you just want to scream

scream. Out loud.

It's not a good idea to write poetry and

not be careful and take your time choose your words

carefully...

over and over we go.

On a day like today I thought if I could just write a few lines

the feeling in my chest would go away

It hasn't worked.

The news only gets worse. Children.

Kids. The fucking good news?

hospitals know how treat gunshot wounds

in children. I can't speak.

Words are useless on a day

like this day. Old poets are useless

on a day like this day.

Only words

are on offer.