i never thought –
i would imagine –
those thoughts again
not in a way –
where it seemed likely
or just comfortable

i hate the way –
so called pious people –
throw moral missiles
from the church steeple

people add layers –
to their personality
but i see through them all
i see the hurt and the pain
i see the confidence so small

does the seaview
change what you really see?
does the painted
antique fireplace
supplement the smile

i looked at somebody,
the other day
and i thought,
i always crave
that stability of personality
rather than this extreme
well plauralise that

swim with sharks
if you dare
play with lions
if you care
match a giraffe
in a telling stare

a certain amount of insanity
always seems –
to bubble around me
uncertainty,

life is different
hanging on,
where will i be going
settee canoodling
giving way,
to post twenties doodling

this is my portrait
here it is,
somehow it is true
in the goldfish bowl
with its goldfish view
so,
pick a different view