I always have
good intentions
when writing you.

When you’re sick,
I want to give you
chicken soup.

I want to
give you
the world,

but I always
only give
you words.

I want to
see you smile,
so I tell a joke.

I Give you all
of me. The bones
and the smoke.

I am no longer
broken. I have.
become stronger.

I want to write you
a letter and say
I’m doing well.

And all
I have
is this poem.

So I will
write the way
that I can,

tell you
I am a
better man,

Tell you
I am
fine.

I know
you don’t
think so.

You think
I’m out
of my mind.

I am here
to tell you
I ‘ve arrived.

Late,
like writing
on the Red Line

It takes time
To write down
a menu

of the food
for thought
I feed you.

Forlorn, still alone
I send you
poems cerebral.

 

Jason Wright is the editor and founder of Oddball Magazine. His column appears weekly. His third book, Train of Thought 2: Almost Home is available now at the Oddball Book Store.