"I"

inspired by Rives

 I once decided that I wouldn’t write poems

with the word “I” anymore.

 

I would be different I wouldn’t be self-centered

Or that hibernating writer who lives on

Canned nuts and has her necessities delivered to her front door, no, I’d get out

Of my house, set up camp in a coffee shop where business

Men and women watch me with a mixture of awe, fear and distaste –

 

I would live

And not force my readers to live my life through words that

Hardly hold meaning or reasoning, trying to play

The part of a hero to some

Teen wearing black and snapping thumb and finger together, hoping

I will hear him, look over at him

And have a secret love affair in glances.

 

I would not try to demand others to feel

How I feel,

See how I see or know what I know the way I know

And think it to be, no…

I would not use the word “I” in my poetry anymore.

 

But I connect with the world through my poetry,

Words run wild through my air conditioned room and I know

No other way of how to say what I feel,

For all writers feel,

Some too much others not enough, but as a species we are

All aware of the condition of lacking, that ache

That rides and sits between us every night,

The condition of wanting, needing longing

 

And so maybe writers are required to be selfish, hell,

Maybe they offer a class on it in some

Secret writer’s conference along with how to deal with

Those teenage boys wearing black trying to get in my pants,

 

Maybe the only way to live is through words

Because, it’s hell out there and hot in here,

And who can really tell the difference anymore?

Reviews

[Raef C. Boylan]

Hey, this is great. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be ironic, in terms of how many times 'I' is used, or whether it's intended as a final farewell to 'I' poetry...but it's good, I felt like you'd shared a part of yourself with us. It's nicely direct, and that style works for you here. Watch out for those boys in black.
Good write.

[emily]

It's fantastic! It offers odd insight, which is very valuable to those who are inspired by perspective.