Self-Portrait with Invisible Ink
       

yes that's me
taking half a pill
because I cannot remember
whether I have already
taken one today

so this way
I know I'm wrong
but only a little wrong

and not in which direction

you have done this too
haven't you?
raise your hand if you have
no
the other one

raise your hand if you know
whereof I speak

raise your hand
if you have ever
asked your readers
to raise their hands
knowing they know
you can't see them

yes you are of my tribe
of that we can now be certain

welcome, friend
here I am
living half a life
because I just can't remember

and this way
I know that I'm dead
but only a little

and not in which direction

welcome friend
in the glass

at the bottom of the glass

bottomed

boat

are we in this together?
raise your hand if you are
raise your hand if I am
but you're not

raise your hand if
like me

you know whose ghost you want

to hover over this

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Copyright © 2022 Troy Jollimore All rights reserved
from Earthly Delights
Princeton University Press
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission