I don't want to change the world
Even the dark places I am hurled
I don't want to justify my life
Of how the hardships cut like a knife

I may not be or ever be no great poet
But these feelings, I am not scared to show it
I respect the readers who always give me a look
Even though I may never appear in any book

I write because it helps heal my soul
To share with all, the blood that does flow
Because every poet bleeds to be read
Sharing their heart to be said

And I will never give up what is my fight
I will give you the words I want to write
Stories and poetry given to me as a gift
My fellow reader, you make my spirit lift

For sharing our words, you give us a reason to live
You bring us alive, with the poetry we will give
I would ony be nothing, if not for you
For a poet, a writer, needs a reader to make them true



copyright Chris Smith (revised 2010) Original version 1998