penalty of giving advice

the feet will not feel heavy

not at first.

this is something they will learn
on some strange night
where you are not sleeping

up comes that claim to truth,
it is not shining

you will walk to the porch
with only one slipper

only to look at the night,
crookedly.

— whitetea, Jun 02, 2009

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: United States, USA

Favorite Poets: Chrystos, Mark Strand, Adrienne Rich, Naomi Shihab Nye, Rachel M. Simon, Donald Justice, Mary Oliver, Nikki Giovanni, Alice Walker, Bukowski, Mary Lambert

Critiques

Arrow

17 years ago

We are so fortunate to have you on this site.

*up comes that claim to truth, it is not shining This poem punched me, having spent a great deal of time in seeing what was not before finding what was.

Bonitaj

17 years ago

PENALTY OF GIVING ADVICE

Loved this! Absolutely brilliant! As a great proponent of giving advice I needed to read this! Imagery outstanding! Got to read it again... and again.! Thanks

weirdelf

16 years 11 months ago

we walk crookedly

to teach others to walk better, sometimes cheers, Jess Forever unwrapping the eternal present.

Arrow

16 years 11 months ago

I don't know that walking crookedly is a good goal

but something good can be made of it - if anger doesn't get in the way. Always a challenge (personally speaking). An interesting take.

Kailashana

16 years 11 months ago

I think, perhaps White

I think, perhaps White Tea's take was *seeing* crookedly. Beautiful take White Tea, nice to read your fine poetry again. Love. ~A btw, a print of that nude by Picasso was on my bedroom wall for many years. it's nice to remember that. "You begin saving the world by saving one person at a time; all else is grandiose romanticism or politics." Charles Bukowski