Say It
Sometimes my thoughts of texting you
turn grotesque– what if I got stabbed
in the stomach here by the hospital?
I might survive then have a reason
to say hey, some shit went down.
I’m fine, but I need to see you–
when really I should be enjoying
this walk around my block
in the fading summer, heat
with undertones of chill
and– thinking about you, wanting
to see you– just say
hey, I want to see you.
__________________
James Croal Jackson
Review by Dave Mehler
A simple need for connection. The poet/speaker ponders, do I need to be stabbed in the stomach, possibly die, before I am allowed or have an excuse to make a bid for attention? It’s a simple but profound point–which seems to come to the speaker as if by revelation, how silly am I being? If a relationship must tread this kind of care and thought, in order to simply say, hey, I want to see you, of what quality, tenor or nature is it? Perhaps with some risk-taking it might become more intimate, or found to be not worth this effort? I enjoy how briefly through succinct action, mood setting through noting time and season, and offering inner monologue Jackson lays all of this out.