Sep 30
He introduces us…
The 18th assignment for 30 Poems in 3o Days: Joining the community.
“Include the words “formal” and “casual” at some point in your poem.”
He introduces us…
Now at the bar,
while he greets friends and fellow artists,
you make a casual inquiry
into my formal education,
into how I make my living,
and my face shutters
as yours did
when you saw me walking toward you
on the candled city street
and he said hello
and your grip tightened
on his arm.I know your kind
but I recite
a hollow resume for you
while you resent me for the flower
in my hair.And you have no more conversation,
so I turn my attention
to the stranger at my left
while you stare at
anaglypta on the walls.Later, at the table,
with your pretended inattention,
with your eyes drifting, seeing nothing,
with your nothingness to say,
you sit, say nothing,
while all his people, strangers,
discuss art and film and music
until his name is called
and he accepts his award
and then returns and your grip tightens
on his arm.I know your kind
but I, polite,
try to include you in our talk
while you resent me for the flower
in my hair.
This still reads as a little juvenile to me. It is too direct, I think, relying on explicit statements rather than letting the feelings come out through imagery. It also needs some makor editing. I shall sit on it a while and see what I can do with it.
In the meantime, I might perhaps write a post about “her kind”.
