This Is How Poetry Should Make You Feel

It’s National Poetry Month, awaken to verses that touch

Photo by Sadeep Sasanka Photography

Emily Dickinson once said,
poetry should “take off”
the top of my head,
leave me freezing
a cold no fire can warm.

I’ve read a poem like
that — once,
although the
language was custom
it folded me

Upon first glance
like a first crush,
a new love, a new
love letter I inhaled —
upon first reading.

I read it again, and this
time the poem took
me by the hand
led me to abstract cafes.
and venues

I learned what it liked
It’s metaphors, were
nightingales with
pens in beaks

I thought I knew,
but by then it was a
mystery, telling me
one thing;
showing me another