Cleanin' Up The Trash

An expanded and edited version, of my poetic response, to Jacob Erin-Cilberto's poem, "To the Critic". http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/erin-cilberto/1149328/

How I wish
More people

Understood the need

For compassion.

When

Someone shares
Their heart

With others.

Opening themselves
To their deepest pain
And greatest joy.

It is
Us.

Who should be
Thanking them
For taking this risk
With their heartstrings.

Myself
I would give
This so-call critic.

The bum rush
From my creative
Space.

Stopping
To wash my hand
From their foul stench

Afterwards.