Stop Thief
Stop Thief
Written by Gary Hughes
This poem is a cheat,it sneaks up behind
a well established poet,
stares over their shoulder,
steals their best line.
It manages to escape
the poetry police
by smashing sentences,
stuffing the words
into its pockets.
On its way home
it can feel their
jangle and rustle,
rich with possibilities,
rubies, peony petals.
The contraband
is smuggled alongside
the dark dull words;
lanterns illuminate
the black city street.
Now, the poem relaxes,
strikes open a stolen beer,
punches itself
onto the computer screen
then quietly disappears.