Brief Lines

These modest lines
which I wouldn't dare call poetry
for lacking the power of art
may at least bring a smile
or a new thought
into bold momentary relief
for being something new,
unexpected,
though not very deep
or certainly profound.
My voice
may be odd, too
and may not harmonize
immediately
or comfortably
with your own inner voice
or what you expect
or hope for in lines like these.
And you may be right!
But if there's any worth
in these words
and if they touch a few hearts
and minds and spirits
perhaps a certain commonality
may have briefly come to life
here among us
and the foolishness and vanity
of wasted time, wasted days
pursuing art
may not become my epitaph.