a reflective poem

What's that? The sunglasses?
Well I have to wear them,
I’m reading poetry outside
And I’m sure you know
That of all the literary forms
Poetry is the most reflective.

Why? Well that’s obvious isn’t it?
Those verses, stanzas, haikus
They take up barely any room at all.
Even epic masterpieces
Tend to be confined
To the left hand side of the page.

This slim volume of poems contains
Considerably more brilliant white surface
Than it does absorbent inky scribbles.
Hence the sunglasses.

And what about the cowboy hat?
The leather jacket? The boots? And all that
Rouge and mascara? My delicately painted nails?
What about them?
Oh well I guess that I’m just a poser.


james price (Preston, Lancashire, 1987)