How does a book cry?
How does an ant smile?
Why do the bird moan
and the dog chirp
when I write a poem?
Why do their eyes listen
and their ears see
when I ***** for applause?

Why does the book cry?
Why does the ant smile?

(The book spits the pages
but smudges remain in the leaves--
forming letters of witnessing and gushing
hours--all implying regrets.)

The ant approached me
but only my heart knew
she was smiling at me.
I asked her why
but she only thanked me
for my sweet letters
that came from my lips.
I gave her a candy
but she refused.
I read her my poems.
There I saw her lips curve.
And the robin
with the blue bill sang
together with the squirrel
with a white tongue
that overheard me.
They all said,
"Why don't you stand on the Everest
and read the earth your poems?"
And I suddenly remembered
I was mute.

(c) Glenn Sentes