READ MY MIND

11

i need to take
a good, hard look at
myself.
stand in front of a
mirror
for once without my
eyes closed,
lean real close
and stare real hard.
take it all in.
however,
if i take more than a glance
into my own soul,
into my own bare heart,
it's much too raw
for those
around me to handle;
so i'll only
peek.
cause nobody likes a
narcissist!
(wow, that's not a word!
i would know, i'm an english major.)
what was that?
i should close my lips,
never let anyone know
a thing
about me. you see,
my heart is not worth exploring.
what did you say?
my thoughts are all but
empty words—
of no substance or importance.
i will instead
put on a show of
smoke and mirrors.
i'll make you think you know me,
but when i disappear
you'll realize
you never knew me at all.
what were we talking about?
sorry,
did i make it
about myself
again?