Hypnosis is far more common than we suppose.
Who understands what is good for them? All are led by the nose.
The secrect techniques the seductive masters keep
Are tricks of no purpose. Everyone’s drunk or asleep.
Poetry is failed hypnosis. We like when we see
Speech that cannot seduce; speech that can only be.
The poets are boring, since they don’t hypnotize.
But that’s the point. The poem says, look, when I look into your eyes
You might be awake. You might be asleep.
No seduction will occur, superficial, or deep.
Implanted commands will make you think
Not that you are thirsty; only that wine is a beautiful drink.
Poetry’s favorite theme (after love) is intoxication
Which you don’t need, and if the ups and downs of fractionation
Are used, the poet has no intention of seducing you—
When I tell you quietly about my tragedy,
And then you; and me, again; then tell me what makes you happy?
The worst hypnosis is mass hypnosis and poetry avoids that, too.
Emotional openness can get you over any hump.
Everyone who voted for Hillary will sue everyone who voted for Trump.
You’re not crazy. Not like them. Maybe you’re asleep.
A poet’s indifferent. If not, he’s a creep.