THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POETS AND ARCHEOLOGISTS

(prompt from @theconstantpoet)

Plot twist. There are none. 

My poems are buried deep within me, 

layers of sediment and time 

sealing them away 

The shovel of my pen digs hard and aimlessly some days, 

other days I bring out the soft brushes 

when something fragile seems to be uncovering 

You think you’ve discovered all of me, 

turns out this is just a sliver of what exists

Just a fraction of all that I hold 

And even if you discover it all, 

you will still have questions. 

Is this a metaphor or is this some sacred ritual? 

Is this area holy ground or is this 

a torture chamber in her own mind? 

It’s dirty work - 

the dust will find its way in places 

on your body you didn’t know existed, 

but some lines, some artifacts 

will drop your jaw in wonder 

and strike a chord in your heart 

you didn’t know existed 

Time held still in a way 

to survive our short lived bodies 

Artifacts left to pass on what was 

These aren’t just objects to remember, 

This isn’t just ink stored on a page,

but fragments of souls lived on through elements

that leave you with more questions than answers 

That’s how poets and archaeologists are the same 

Seekers aiming to find the truth 

Leaving more mystery behind 

Than answers for what could be