“Copy of a wh*re” by Michael T. Smith

The term

‘first person’ shows how

selfish we are.  I would never

Look at myself […ergo sum…] the way

We look at others —

but being with another is a sin

(it’s an argumentum ad verecundiam)

 

The wine

Soiled the lips of those who

Tasted the glass that held it,

looking up “Canthardidis” because

some asshole let it slip; her slip –

was nothing but unimaginative,

and a wee bit Freudian.

 

But then! (and that’s the whole sign

–“but”)

her hips formed the epitasis,

and the road was clearly seen.

 

And she would have an old house

over her head

instead of a halo,

which might just crumble to bits.

 

So-called, her feet tinkle on the hardwood floor

as she cliftily approaches

her auto-de-fa

run by green men, passing butter’d buns

as she starves – and not just

for attention.

 

She was given her title ad eundem,

for like experience begets

like experience: just like the mirror

gets pregnant

with an unfamiliar image so easily.

 

We’re all sinners in kind

when the liver takes over the head.

And the heart —

And the heart…

 

—

 

Michael T. Smith is an Assistant Professor of English who teaches both writing and film courses.  He has published over 150 pieces (poetry and prose) in over 80 different journals.  He loves to travel.