One Shade of Grey

Try as I might, it’s hard to write

the simplest things. What’s black and white

gets rendered into neutered grey;

my notebook and my pen downplay

my sadness, madness or delight.

Each poem then becomes a fight

between the darkness and my light

and, each time, nighttime swallows day

try as I might.

I think perhaps I lack insight

and though I keep my meter tight,

I just don’t have enough to say

beyond the commonplace cliché

and so this rondeau will be trite,

try as I might.