Autoportret

about six feet in stature
but I stoop so really
it's only about 5 ft 8
my hair currently
is not sticking up at odd angles
which it usually does
it is very short
and impossible to tell
from this angle that I'm balding
as for the colour it is a dull brown
the lightness of the summer departing
as I spend more time indoors
dark blue eyes the colour
of an angry sky in july
a strange small nose
which has been variously described
as English whatever that means
or bird-like, more appro-po
a mouth which is a little small
but not obviously so
ears which are largish, but in proportion
after a day of not shaving
a healthy growth of stuble
a few freckles which may be overlooked
by the less discerning
and I'm wearing a biege t-shirt
that contains a dog
which is forever breaking the injuctions
not to eat, smoke or be a dog
dark blue jeans, silver watch
and black socks.

Originally published by Ygdrasil, http://www.etext.org/Poetry/Ygdrasil/, and available on the album, 'The Unfortunate Tumble of Bubba James' from Korpo Records and on rotation on Korpo Radio.