Sentiment (Poetry)
SENTIMENT
Artwork “Single Room Occupancy” by Sumiko Saulson
In a quiet place
Far away from the superficiality
Of exterior opinion
Where I and eye
Look into and without
From the place of our own
Soul dominion
I have become circumspect
With my own introspection
And upon redirect
Asked myself
A few questions
The answers were so obvious
When all around me was silence
It made me wonder why I ever found it
Necessary to speak
Wanting to be understood
Could be the undoing of us all
It’s a need to be loved
That has laid many low
My love was thoughtful
And quiet
was silent and sweet
So I slew her for the benefit
Of a world that finds all things feminine
Soft and weak
I broke her trembling hand
I burst her smiling lips
I turned and walked away
With my hand upon my hips
Some would call me strong because
I shot down the woman in me
But I could have been braver
I do understand
I do what I can
You’ll have to forgive me
I am only a man
I am only a man
Sumiko Saulson 