BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

are you
reading this poem

sitting comfortably
or on a tightrope or
trapeze suffering
some anxiety ?

in which
case
don’t
look down!

otherwise
watch for any
distraction (my
lovely assistant)
misdirection
or any
significant
sleight of hand

perhaps
if you do not read
had not
read
this poem
things would have gone
so much better
worked out fine
with limb
and like

imagining what it
might feel like
to wake up
every morning
to every possibility

that you
have no need
for words
figures of speech at all

but you
have read the poem (almost)
struggled and suffering
(which can
indeed be so
good for you)

thrown
into existential zone

before
your brain switches off
or at least gives you notice

best worst thing rather
than worst best indifference

not coming clean
about things now abyssal
here at the bottom of the page