National Poetry Month, Day 9: Frank O'Hara - "Poem (Hate is Only One of Many Responses)

Quit pointing out my failures as a blogger, National Poetry Month! To make up for missing a couple of days, I give you Frank O'Hara, one of the cooler poets I like. I picked this one at random out of one of his anthologies, and then was struck by how true it was, at least to me. Stupid sneaky poetry.

Hate is only one of many responses
true, hurt and hate go hand in hand
but why be afraid of hate, it is only there
think of filth, is it really awesome
neither is hate
don't be shy of unkindness, either
it's cleansing and allows you to be direct
like an arrow that feels something

out and out meanness, too, lets love breathe
you don't have to fight off getting in too deep
you can always get out if you're not too scared

an ounce of prevention's
enough to poison the heart
don't think of others
until you have thought of yourself, are true

all of these things, if you feel them
will be graced by a certain reluctance
and turn into gold

if felt by me, will be smilingly deflected
by your mysterious concern