Emotions can be dangerous and risky for anyone
But a poet’s emotions are the very wellspring
Of creativity and art
Brightly hued maelstroms of passion
We tend to go off the deep end of the pool
We don’t just fall in love
We do swan dives off that cliff in Acapulco
Where you have to time your leap
Waves crashing over the rocks
Or set high altitude records leaping from the edge of outer space
That’s a long way to fall
But one hell of a ride along the way
Even negative emotions like fear or anger
That philosophically you know aren’t valid
Based as they are on false assumptions
Or an incorrect assessment of the data
Sweep you up and tumble you around
Some kind of hardwired impulse drive inside your mind
Pushing every wrong button there is to push
And in the centre of your consciousness
Its like you’ve been paralyzed with some Amazonian poison
Just like in action movies
You watch it all unfold and you can’t move or even speak
You can’t unpush the buttons
So you ride it out
A thundering ride on a barely broken meanspirited bronco
Heading for the Grand Canyon
Where he’ll try to buck you off
Emotions can be dangerous
But exhilarating, too
Thrilling your senses to full alert
Mere stories made epic
Common currency made precious
So I’ll enjoy that ride
Even though I’m terrified
Some risks are worth the trouble
Some rewards are genuine
David Trudel © 2012
