– You Never Learn –

I stand in supplication. To become that
boy again. Age is now just a currency
of importance. Pennies on the dollar. They
leave without declaration. Nights in limbo.
But I have things to say still. Dangerous le-
vels: Nostalgia. Preserve the dignity of
those places in time. An acrid wave of arr-
ogance. A soapbox of contrition. Place I
call home. A kind face. Obliterate illu-
sions. Render them invisible. The unde-
sirables will keep you honest and working.

**

– You’re From There –

When the poem is a stranger, that’s when they
are at their most rigid. There’s difficulty
relating to the melancholy of your
time. I need to be comfortable where I
sleep. Working best when it’s dark inside. Like how
to connect with people appropriately.
Make a list. Begin with incessant whining.
Straying from the topic at hand. Of puddled
curtains and branded pillowcases. So brave.
A large arena of despairing people.
Life doesn’t get any better, but it can.

**

– The Real Reason –

I can smell the stale of anointed words. Re-member
the fallen.Widespread ideals. I’m not
a student of, and don’t intend to be.
The passion is lost on me. It works its way
out. We have become our father’s over the
years. Much less responsible. Instructions not
included. Claw through the exhaustion. Makes the
poison go down better. Neither antica-
pated nor repeated. Love allows you to
become that boy again, and poetry
the view. Please let me know you made it home safe.

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Erik Korhel is from Seattle, Washington. His work has achieved a “Must Have Books and Resources” listing with the New York City Department of Education. Erik’s work has appeared in Madness Muse Press, The Criterion, The Blue Nib, Poem Alone and Meat For Tea.

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