I completely understand.
I don’t want people knocking on my door
trying to sell me something either.

But listen, what I have for you
is something that you can’t pay for,
even if you wanted to.

I have for you a poem of the day,
though I understand from the wince
and the head shake that you

may consider yourself someone
who doesn’t like poetry,
who doesn’t get it,

who would rather listen to
a hundred leaf blowers in a
raucous symphony

than listen to a minstrel poet’s
humble offering on such a
glorious day. But bear with me.

It’s a love poem.
And here’s the secret:
They’re all love poems,

whether they seem to be about
the inconstant sun or the morphing moon,
whether they’re celebrating

a season or mourning the dearly
departed. And as another famous
foursome once poetically crooned,

Can’t buy me love
everybody tells me so
Can’t buy me love
No, no, no, no.

So here it is, a poetic offering
for you from your friendly
neighborhood poet

because we can all use a little
unsolicited love, can’t we?
Yes, yes, yes, yes.

•••

With great appreciation to The Beatles for “Can’t Buy Me Love,” here in a remastered
2015 version sounding as fresh as the day it was recorded.