home
poems
essays
art
music
submit
archive
events
Syntax Issue 10
Denver Syntax
{people keep telling me i look like:}
  john bush


An asshole or
My mom because I have strawberry marks on my head and
My dad (don’t know if this is a compliment though).
A Republican, too, because I’ve lost weight,
Even though my belly is getting fat;
they say
I’m some guy named Phil from Newburg.
Now I’ve had to stop lightening my hair.

They say I look like I’m 25, when I shave, but
I don’t think that’s honest. They say I look like
A monkey: they say “shut up and comb your face.”
We all laugh at that. I do halfway.
They say I look like Don Miller, my friend,
But I think I have more facial expression than he does
And I get more pussy.
“You look great!” They say.
And I reply solemnly that I’m over my depression,
Quit drinking and smoking. They smile uncomfortably.
I think I look fucking radiant.

Some say, sometimes, I look like Jesus…
Or some flower child or hippie,
Or Fernando because I’m more tan this year.

People tell me, too, that I look like I’m crying
But I’m not really,
So I shouldn’t even look like it…
Right?