Penmanship

my writing often meets critiques
but not for content or theme
but for a gargoyle-like appearance

people glance with disgust
not noticing its true meaning
but writing is not about letters or words
but about what lies behind them

words are doors
leading to a meaning or picture
even ugly doors may lead to a beautiful room

my letters might lead to a rainbow
or a sunset
or stars bursting into supernova the whole universe looking on in wonder
but the letters might look like deformed unmentionables clinging to life

children form squiggles on paper and use them to recall stories
untrained eyes see not a single letter
but these little Homers may use them to reveal the most magnificent adventures
an idiot may say they have written nothing
for he cannot see the doors

fortunately though if you are reading this
it has been typed out for a final draft
allowing me to hide behind these uniform impersonal letters
not truly exposing myself