for Andrew

You don’t know how to read.

Sure, you may know every word
of English, Italian and French besides,
but knowing how to read involves no spelling
and has no need of grammar.

When a story’s to be read, Science
might be dead for all the Literate
might care.
Politics and Physics—both are burdens
that a Reader needn’t bear—
for she or he can see
that a story’s not a riddle,

hat
it’s a brand new shirt to wear.
coat

You don’t know how to read...

...if you can’t see the twin moons like talons shred the skies.
...if a lizard long extinct is the only one which flies.
...if the only flames you belch still singe the lashes from your eyes.
...if when you’ve closed the book your lips will only whisper “why?”s.

You may be well-versed, well-rounded,
even well-mannered, but if it is the syntax
of things to which you pay attention,
you will never be well-Read.

poems: alphabetical || chronological
blog || novel || vita
ChaoSpirals