March 18–24 ❘ Not Mighty in Writing

Not Mighty in Writing

When I write,
it’s a lecture you dismiss,
self-righteous sermon,
nagging prattle of younger brother.
My urging lies flat, an empty outline
you fill in with lifeless hues.
These words are sieve, not cistern.
All I pour in sifts through,
leaks away before it reaches you.

If we could speak face to face,
you wouldn’t need to intuit nuance.
Spirit would chase out darkness,
shine light on every hard-cut word.
You would hear, see,
understand.

Instead, I write,
and all these words of life
seem nothing more than sighs,
unforgiving whispers from the grave.

• Read more of my poetry at www.facebook.com/latterdaysaintpoetry

• Contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com