30 poems in 30 days
9 April 2013
Self-fulfilling
Whatever you do, don’t begin the poem with
I (it’s ok, the second line is passable), or
someone you know will assume it is all about
how you feel about them. I may not even be me,
so I very much doubt it’s about you. Or is it?
Everyone secretly hopes to find a reference
to themselves, while fearing the day it may
happen. That is because more poetry is written
out of vanity, bitterness, and self-delusion
than love. But you knew that already, didn’t you?
You’ve been reading poems all your life, waiting
for this one chance at fame. And if you’re going
to get the really honest write-up from me,
it’s only fair I mention how desperate you are
to claim: this is not my first time in a poem.