i have tried too many things
to elicit the poems
swirling inside of me

i tried listening
to different kinds of music –
may it be from a band or an orchestra
sad instrumental ones or
lyrics accompanied by upbeat drums –
in attempts to give way
to the stymied words in my throat

i tried dancing in the rain
thinking that maybe the downpour
would make my words and ink
drip much easily on paper

i tried reading different kinds of literature
hoping that other people’s words
would give me an idea
a catalyst to the unloading of my thoughts

never have i realized
that i could have saved myself
from all of the trouble
if i only knew much sooner
that the only thing i’d need
was
*you