Well, Say It As You See It Poem by RIC BASTASA

it is nice
yes, always the feeling is nice
when you call a spade a spade
lets your heart out
nothing tightens
or chokes
nothing to vomit
at the end
nothing hidden

well, they laid the principle
of candid honesty
say it as it pleases you
not as it pleases them
always, yes, always
call a spade a spade

that is rule # one
honesty, that lonely word
well, i learned it by heart
learning to say
what is in my mind

but what do i get?
nothing
everyone is displeased
with my honesty
that i am one tactless
form of shit
this monstrous mammal
this elephant with a tusk
this snake with a venom
this mischievous child
laughing at the
naked emperor
without clothes

well, yes, i still say what i see
calling a spade always a spade
and what do i get?

yes, this one,
nothing but this one
this poetry