The poem is the poet’s soul Deepest, darkest thoughts Vulnerable and exposed Expressions, like tasted wine Sipped and swirled Bouquets of overpowering aromas Fruity, nutty flavors Then spit onto the opaque page Pallet cleansed, a release of tormented visions let go Let go for now, but captured for eternity For those still to come For those willing to explore and satiate their cravings to know There are those, content with the time a clock tells Look close, for a clock is more than the time Delicate mechanisms, intricate and complex See past the surface, there is a world deep below The poem is the staircase leading down