A Proverb Of Evolution Poem by Michael Philips

The group was delightful.
We read poetry to each other
(not our own, for God sake) and ate dinner.

Over months, the dinner talks
pushed up against the reading time.
Some of it was highly personal
and the discussions stretched out
and the poetry time suffered
even as the emotion intensified.

Finally, only a few poems were read
as a formality before the invasive species
of personal triumphs and tragedies
took their place on the throne.
Our meetings became therapy sessions.

One time, someone mentioned
a spectacular investment they had made.
Everyone was full of wonder
like amateur astronomers.
The next dinner there was more
investment talk, especially real estate.

Finally, there was not much time
for any serious therapy and our dinners
took on the intensity of bank heist planning.

One evening, someone showed up
with what they said was an Italian proverb:
“All things start out as poetry and end up as real estate.”
We all laughed knowingly,
and someone began to recite a poem
until they were shouted down.