Ars Poetica

Inspired by Baudelaire's Le fleur de mal, this poem suggests an alternate and darker view of the art of poetry.

Ars Poetica

 

Poetry’s those things

that nobody talks about:

a broken promise, a secret affair--

the daughter who you slapped

with the back of your hand.

 

Poetry’s not water or medicine.

Poetry’s a disease.

 

Poetry’s those things

that nobody talks about:

kerosene in the blood, fire in the genitals--

the bones that she broke

when she flew down the stairs.

 

Poetry’s a killer;

It stalks you in the night.

 

Poetry’s those things

that nobody talks about:

a clause in your contract;

the bruise beneath her eye.

 

Poetry’s your neighbor’s dog:

the dog that you poisoned

for barking too loud.

 

© Mark MacDonald 2013