Give Me Back My Poetry Poem by Sallie Howson

I don’t mind that
You took my books
And CDs
Or even my new set of kitchen knives
But how could I live
Without my poetry?
The day you left
My rhythm marched
Out of the door.
It sent me a postcard last week
Saying it had joined the brass band.
The brass band!
Heaven forbid.
Now I can hear it oom-pah oom-pahing
It’s way to the town hall.
My town hall,
Where we sat on the steps
Huddled under an umbrella
In the pouring rain
Making up stories of the passers-by
And lovers and spies and wayward women.
Give me back my poetry.
Nothing rhymes since
You went away.
The words were missing you too much.
I tried to catch them
As they flew through the window
But they were too quick for me.
They said they needed
Partners
That I couldn’t give them.
So please
If they come knocking on your door
Bring them back to me.
You can keep our memories,
Our starlit nights,
Our sun filled days,
You can even take our moon soaked bed
But please
Bring back my poetry.
Damn it
Give me back my poetry.