Snares

Whenever 

          a poem

causes me
to stumble and trip

over a word
deliberately set
          as a trap—

to catch 
my ignorance,

          a word 

i do not recognize—

like a stranger 
approaching, 

          potential danger, 

in a dim
piss reeking
          
          late night alley—

intent unknown,

i turn the page
lest i be taught

          a lesson

I don’t care to learn.

. . . j
from the Senses and More Such collection