Poetry Can
I write poetry
because prose can't
Can't convey emotion
as truly
as clearly
can't bypass logic and reason
to go straight to the heart.
Can't clear my mind
when my mind is structureless
and in turmoil
can't say the things I want to
as quickly as I need to.
Can't exist beyond grammar
ignore subjects
or verbs
can't leave out the extra words
that just clutter the page.
Can't hide meaning
in onion layers
or metaphor
can't give you more
in every reading.
Can't be effortlessly beautiful
graceful
flowing
can't be wondrous in words alone
even apart from meaning.
Prose just can't.