poem: ben harkness

revolution

Let's start simple

I'll start simple - simply

I'll sit at my desk and stare for a moment

And while I'm staring I'll steel myself

As I grab my sketch book I'll acknowledge that I have no idea what I'm about to put down

And that's ok.

And as I grab my pencil I will prod myself to push through this

To fight the good fight

Because the resistance must be put down

And the lines that I am making are unsteady

They are self-absorbed self-conscious

And I will erase them

But not yet

Not until I've crushed them

Not until they scream the inspiration I'm squeezing them for

They work for me now

Their lives are in my hands and I am a demanding supervisor

These lines, as inadequate as they be, don't get to leave

At least not until they've screamed

Because the resistance must be put down

---

about the poet: ben harkness

Ben Harkness is a bicycle mechanic, husband, and father of three. In his spare time he pursues all things art. You can listen to his podcast Social Saliva wherever you get your podcasts. You can follow him on Instagram @benharkness and @socialsaliva