WORD (ABOUT MINDING MY WORDS)

WORD (ABOUT
MINDING MY WORDS)

got reported
Gestapoed

someone snitched
on me to
the Institute of Poetry

which
      in its wisdom
commissioned a
whole delegation

sent
   them trooping
in through my door

here to
   “have a word” came
the proclamation
riot act read
   right
     of intervention

silly me
to have expected a style-fest
as for apparel,
sequins and feathers, breast-.
plates and
    leather

and, Oh My God, hats:
stetsons and Panamas, hombergs,
berets and trilbies
(the odd
    Mr Plod helmet kind
of thrown in
for
    good measure)

something akin to
the madcap extremes of a
Gaultier or Mugler

not this gravel gray, matt
black sundae of
   mundane business
managers

well-suited to shut down,
perfect for
      repression

apt for no-nonsense
straight talk laying
down the law
             demandibg
I cease
and desist promptly

arrow-straight and professional
telling me
       without slightest latitude
opening
for latitude, ambiguity,
space to maneuver

to
  mind my
words

if I do know what is good for me,
care about the future of poetry