I did it!!

My first poetry assignment is done...at least until workshop on Thursday. Here's where it stopped today.


Self- Portrait as a Young Boy Fishing

Papa casts like he flicks a cigarette
off the porch into the pile beneath the bushes,

But the only thing I can do like a man is spit,
so I bend myself back into the boat like a willow branch
and let go.

It’s like falling off the Fletcher Creek Bridge,
knees to forehead, guessing when to slip
beneath the water.

I hold my breath
until I see the surface of his face
warm on me, just for getting it right.

the first assignment

is to write a self portrait poem through another lens (inspired by Jorie Graham's 'Self Portrait as Daphne and Apollo'). Classes start on Wednesday, poem due Monday, syllabus due this weekend.
All I have is a stanza-ish.


Self Portrait as a Young Boy Fishing


Papa casts like he flicks a cigarette
Off the porch into the pile beneath the bushes,

But I can only imagine my line falling,
like me on the Fletcher Creek Bridge,
knees to forehead, practicing
when to slip beneath the water.

He gives me five tries, for every one of his-