for the you who inspired the writing of this book Poem by Truong Tran

for the you who inspired the writing of this book who forced the hand that lifted the pen who marched the words across the page I speak of you you you and you I speak to the you who hides inside the universal I speak of the you who chooses silence as a form of currency i speak of the you with averting eyes who turns away at the falling of the axe I speak of the you who wash your hands obsessively i speak of the you in the us and the them i speak to the you inside the i i speak that you may know this much that i would gladly consume the rotten core of that apple grown of vengeful thoughts that i would stand unflinching in the path of that brick the same brick i once hurled through a pane glass window that i would take back the jagged and the jaded the gentle and the jarring i would take back every word of every poem on every page i would take it all back in exchange for one wish i wish i wish i wish that this had never happened