I mourn the many poems that I failedbrto write, and then those poems that I failed—brthe poems I assumed would shove a lifebrback into life, unlatch a cage or turnbra thousand thirsty bullets back around,brrevive a fallen daddy, shrink a war,brunreeling lines I thought could heal a thing,brslam shut a thing, reverse a thing, or teachbran Annie Pearl to love her reckless child.brI grieve the lawless verses that fought backbrand silenced me because I lacked the spinebrrequired to know the tale they told was mine.brI trusted myself blind. I really thoughtbrthe words would grow to gospel in my hands.journey-inline-newsletterinline-newsletter