POEM: the worst kind of poem

the worst kind of poem

is the one you write while
trying hard to hide its meaning
like bringing a leopard
to a dinner party
and acting surprised
as the other guests hurriedly clear a space
staring as you feed it a canape
murmuring to one another
while it licks itself

you can pass it off as a joke
pretend the leopard is an
expensive handbag, maybe
eventually though, you can’t hide
the growls, the knocking over of glassware
the sharp intake of breath as
the cat makes eye contact with a partygoer

finally you’ll be forced to admit
that yes
it’s a leopard
and no
we won’t be leaving