Thursday, May 1, 2014

Take a Peek



(No ... that's not a self-portrait ... just another of my randomly-shot photographs)

This is one of my "dream" poems. I remember the sensation of waking up in a strange place (I'm dreaming this, remember), being asked by some remote, impersonal voice to produce something that would identify me.


I knew there was this slip of paper in my billfold, but I couldn't find it, couldn't, in fact, find my billfold. I kept searching and searching.


Then I woke up. The dream would have been lost, had I not scribbled something on a scrap of paper as a reminder.


I don't usually dwell on the meanings of dreams.


Sometimes they mean nothing more than the excesses of a late-night snack.


Or they may reveal deep-rooted frustrations, unattainable goals, hunger, thirsts, fears ... all the makings of a poem.


Still, I try to save them all. I don't always manage, but I try.


And here's today's:


TAKE A PEEK


My billfold

contains a slip
of yellow paper
with the name
of the President
written on it.

I feel secure
having it with me,
like a number,
next of kin,
to be called
in an emergency.

Perhaps someday
after surgery,
responding to
trick questions:

What's your name?

Who's President?

I can say,"Take a peek
at my billfold. There's
a slip inside. It's all
I've got left."
© 1995

(originally published in Potpourri)

Today's word: identify

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