John Lawless Poet Free verse

What Do You Want

What Do You Want


The artist Gahan Wilson published
a book entitled “I Paint What I See”.

I would like to think that I write what
I see, the way I see it, because I see it.

So how can you expect me to paint
what you want me to see.

To write what you want me to write
lest it be deemed unacceptable.

Poetry is an art form, each line,
each word, each subtle shade

of difference matters in the context
of expression and interpretation.

Each seemingly innocuous hint
an invitation to look deeper

into the painting, into the artist,
into the aura of what he sees.

And so I must “paint what I see”,
hear what I hear, say what I say,

be the conductor of the brush
the director of the pen,

show you what it is I see,
tell you what it is I hear,

touch you so gently with a truth
of which you might become aware.

So, do not tell me what to see
sit back and let me show you – me.


John G. Lawless
8/27/2014

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Eileen Manassian August 28, 2014 at 6:26 AM This is an absolutely superb poem. I so agree with you. Poetry is a reflection of the poet's heart....a piece of his soul forever capture in word pictures. I love the way you expressed yourself here. Great write. John Lawless August 28, 2014 at 7:37 AM Eileen, It is my belief that poems contain a little piece of the poets heart and a glimpse into their soul. (("glimpse")) Hey....that one just got re-purposed from the archival word vault.