I Could Never Be a Poet

(What's she doin on the mic? ... Don't worry.)

I could never be a poet

because I've got a fear of speaking in public.

I'd rather retreat in shyness and embarrassment

Than stand up and share it.

I could never be a poet

because I didn't grow up

listening to The Last Poets or Nikki Giovanni

My mother's records didn't include spoken word

though she did teach me to write in rhythmic curves.

I could never be a poet

because I didn't have hardship after hardship

slamming down on my psyche like a sledgehammer on a bolt,

punching me into the ground until there's only a little left.

I could never be a poet

because I don't take enough breaths.

I could never be a poet

because experience has led me to believe

that I can't tell what is wrong from what is right.

I could never be a poet

because I'm white.

I could never be a poet

because I'm not very polished or skillful,

and sometimes I willfully leave the edges rough.

I could never be a poet

cause I don't know when I've said enough.

I could never be a poet

because I crack too many jokes

that get too analytical.

I could never be a poet

cause I'm too political.

I could never be a poet

because I have a job

that doesn't just let you shout whatever you want from the hills.

I could never be a poet

cause it doesn't pay my bills.

I could never be a poet

because you could write your whole life

and never find that gem.

I could never be a poet

who's anything like them.

I could never be a poet

because there aren't enough letters, words, phrases, pens and paper

to possibly document all the world's beauty and abuses.

I could never be a poet

cause I've got too many excuses.

I could never be a poet

because I'm still figuring out

whether I'm a young girl, a chick, a woman,

a hippie, a traveler, a lover, a miss or a ma'am.

I could never be a poet except
I already am.