Tuesday, June 29, 2004

on being not invisible

i never saw it coming
didn’t bother to expect it
i flew beneath the radar
left no footprint on the sand
i was sure i cast no shadow
then i found myself confronted
by a string of pointed inquiries
that left me plainly wondering
how long i’d been so obvious
to everybody else, or even
just to anybody else - it was a shock
to think that i, omniverous
observer, had in fact
been seen - and not in passing,
seen and scrutinized and rated,
given credit (more or less),
that my small ripples - those i thought
perhaps i didn’t even cast -
had moved a pebble, lapped a twig
out on some distant shore somewhere.
now i see, or am less blinded,
see myself no more transparent
don’t believe i have no impact
stand in shock and petrifaction
too afraid of what will follow
to do anything

I had to type this up because I’ve been carrying it around in my notebook for months and every time I reread it the word “ripples” looked to me like “nipples.” Now that it’s re-edited on line I can stop reviewing my notes, get that damned word right, and move on with my life.  And with that: me and my nipples are blowing this popsicle stand.  I’m done with my day and vice-versa.  Catch you later, esteemed readers....