I’m careful to say
I have perfected
the lonely art
of loneliness.

I don’t let
anyone in.
I don’t meet
many people anymore.

Don’t go anywhere
worth noting.
Don’t know anyone
worth knowing.

I have built
a glowing scene
of very
little notice.

It took no
focus at all
and no one may
approach it.

Built this by
myself, of course,
this little lair
of loneliness.

Just a lonely
rhythm track
to make this poem’s
heart beat.

I constructed
this machine that
takes your heart
from your chest,

making me the
sole proprietor
of a lonely, lonely
mean machine.

May I open
your heart
and see in?
Thanks.

 

Jason Wright is the editor and founder of Oddball Magazine. His column appears weekly. His third book, Train of Thought 2: Almost Home is available now at the Oddball Book Store.