Love Poem: A Pencil Without Lead
Earle Brown Avatar
Written by: Earle Brown

A Pencil Without Lead

The earth knows your business child;
there's nothing anonymous ...
about alcohol.
Them drunks like to show off ...
yes, they like to show their strength.
They beat women like bongo drums.

Them gal down at the factories,
they love a man on cannabis;
a mellow man - 
in a constant mellow mood, 
always hungry for good food 
and a good cook.

Their pencils are always sharpened, 
ready to write - 
in rain, sun, or sleet;
Not so with them funky drunks, 
theirs are more eraser and less lead.
they'll erase even wet dreams,
their pencils are nothing but dead,
carcasses for the crows.

Write love on puffs of cannabis clouds
just like Nesta Marley did.
How bloody is Mary
after glasses of your spirit poured out?
love is forever yours Mary Jane, 
my darling and consort.
A finger will never hurt thee.