Poetry Can

I write poetry

because prose can't

Can't convey emotion

as truly

as clearly

can't bypass logic and reason

to go straight to the heart.

Can't clear my mind

when my mind is structureless

and in turmoil

can't say the things I want to

as quickly as I need to.

Can't exist beyond grammar

ignore subjects

or verbs

can't leave out the extra words

that just clutter the page.

Can't hide meaning

in onion layers

or metaphor

can't give you more

in every reading.

Can't be effortlessly beautiful

graceful

flowing

can't be wondrous in words alone

even apart from meaning.

Prose just can't.