Verbum Sapienti (A Word To The Wise) Poem by mark king

I once named a star after this city
Only to watch it fade slowly away

My life is painted on a broad canvas
All in pastels filled with life’s blessings

Somehow nothing has died inside of me
I’m just leaving well enough so alone

With my books and pictures of dead poets
I stand unaccompanied in a wasteland

In fairy tales the wicked are ugly
Now wicked is a second hand love

Satan keeps this town in his pocket
Laughing all the while it fades away

At least dead poets say something
Most here are just blank slates

Canton, Ohio has only wasted her time
And stole time creating illusions

From riches to rags and sickness
I know when to love, ignore and leave