Less
By Matthew W. Schmeer

“We shape clay into a pot
but it is the emptiness inside
that holds whatever we want.”
–Lao-tzu, “Tao Te Ching”

Less is less
than emptiness
holds within its hollows,
less than what follows
between is and is not,
less than sharp shots
of harsh words,
less than what’s heard
when an ear turns
against itself to learn
the lessons of a closed door,
a cold heart, a barren floor;
sometimes less is less,
yes, but sometimes less is more.

— Schmeer is an assistant professor of English at Johnson County Community College. Poet’s Showcase features work by area poets. Submit your poetry via e-mail with a subject line of Poet’s Showcase to mpaget@ljworld.com or send typewritten (not handwritten) submissions to Mindie Paget, 645 N.H., Lawrence 66044, attn: Poet’s Showcase.