The Metaphoric Garden... Poem by RIC BASTASA

all the while, literalism
is wished. Why bother with some
allusions? One can be direct
to the point and be
understood point-blank,
no holds bar, black is black
and white is white,
a spade is a spade is a spade,
the cause is that which the cause
is caused,
bluntly, candidly,
what the heck is this
going around the bush
and figuring out
what is hidden through
symbols and
concealed through some
metaphors....

but my dear, this
is the realm of what we want you to know
and on the other hand
we also want you not to know
so well....

and that is, precisely
this thrill, remember those imaginary
toads in the
real garden?

or those real toads in the
imaginary garden,

feel them, they are all here,
hear them, but my god, by god,
you cannot see them
here... not yet....