Timothy Brown

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The Best Poem Of Timothy Brown

Inhibition Machine

have you heard about the
inhibition machine wretched
thing of cogs and whistles of
levers and steam it grinds
away to meet some goal
the dials spin in endless circuit
always stopping
never starting forward as it
rolls undetected crushing
life and light and sometimes bone
protruding from the knee so
men with velvet boxes holding golden
rings regain themselves a crisis
timely met disaster stolen
from tearing eyes and polar lips
a kiss which mothers miss
don't miss never miss

and if by chance that thing not seen
assaults you as you write a lovely
poem don't get me wrong but take its
advice stop think stop think continue
to dream that you might get on better but
know that any action or thought of action
could be met by metal claws a frightful sheen
forcing you rigid where you stand
always stopping
never letting loose your strings
which may not be so unfortunate
as it must seem the mercy of a
bronze computer the inhibition
machine

there's no need to look so frightened you'd
know if it were near the smell of tin an iron
taste as tendrils work around your throat inflicting
reason or so it whispers in your ear while you're
anchored in that place of action something has to
be done these gears and things that pin you to the ground
must shift must give way or the opportunity
will carry on you want to move run forward
but you can't the creature makes you stay
the moment is lost which is such a relief
your only response is not today maybe
some other time

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