[Ian E Probstein]

Self-Portrait in Brooklyn

Windows are open.
Villains are often
Noisy and bragging.
Widows and orphans
Bear the burden.
The poor are begging.
Life is so ragged,
Anguish and rage —
This is my age.

My brains are brown.
My mood is down.
My lungs are grey —
This is my day.

Night shadows come,
They chant and charm.
I do not weep,
I’d rather sleep —
Or drink some rum.

Ian (New User)

[Maryann Corbett]

Welcome, Ian. Since this is the board where we set up amusing poetic challenges for one another, if you don't mind my asking, what is your poem challenging us to do? Or what's the challenge you're responding to? Are we doing self-portraits?

(If the poem is being posted for critique, then that's a different kettle of fish and we have to call on the standard new-member rules of fifteen critiques of your own first, and posting on the regular poetry boards, and so on. Those are all rules you'll find in the guidelines.)