Safe

“Safety first”.
That’s about all I recall of the third grade.
I think it spoke of fire drills,
And procedures in the event of a nuclear attack.

My writing group feels safe.
Portions of original books,
Fiction or non, memoirs,
Poems, letters, all fair game.

Uncomfortable chairs, fragile tables
Occupy only a small portion
Of the multi-purpose, large, square room
Where on Monday mornings, we few believers meet.

Along with our efforts to say something,
We bring dreams, smiles, and conversation.
We are a more sanguine version of
The iceman’s favorite bar.

I listen as each reader,
In need of suggestions, corrections
But foremost, approval,
Presents their puzzle.

Beyond grammar and spelling,
Objectivity has no purchase here.
Each writer offers a piece of themselves,
Knowing they will not be censured.

Listen for the anger, love, humor.
Taste the words, both spoken
And missing. Travel with the piece.
In the safety of this place we risk and learn.