When I said Yes, it is a story
I meant it was a helluva story

and I mean just like the way it’s written
because that is how I would have said it,

expressed with that emphasis, rather
than appeared to simply confirm it as

narrative / account / prose – just those
dry bones I had turned into a poem:

a found poem, and the story as prompt,
with recognition of its interest value,

and my corroboration, losing its shared
significance in an email exchange.

Had it been something more meaningful
overall, that kinduv lack of clarity and

engagement can lead to all kinds of (sic)
polarities between the spoken & written.