Dead Words Poem by Robin Bennett

I've always wondered what made some
women poets stick their head in
their ovens-
Or dress in fur and gems and
asphyxiate them selves to death-

Women who tried to die before,
just wouldn't give up until they
got it right-
It isn't as if they didn't write about
it for all to see-
Lord knows they sure
practiced enough.
Poor souls.

Like me, I think
that quote 'what doesn't
kill you makes you stronger'
drove them to do it.
Who really believes
that hogwash?

If it were true,
I'd have a costume of
red, white and blue satin and
could block bullets
with iron cuff bracelets.
Oh, and don't forget about
that invisible airplane.

Life is hell, I agree with
you on that.
But, the words they
left behind, are
sheer heaven
to me.