Universal Poets*

Universal Poets

Everyone is a poet

Though some

Kicking an screaming

Deny their spirit

And shout obscene numbers

While caressing their profits

I have been with them

When the first lightray of morning

Pierced their pupils

Stimulated their brainpan

When their soul began

a cobra dance

swaying, swaying

hypnotized

by early morning flute song.

Too soon they shake their heads free of fancy

Move into the world of concrete and steel

Capping the cobra basket.

No more dancing

Turning instead

Spurning beggars

Straightening spines to the stiff

Preparing

For the real.