Eden Poem by Rae Armantrout

1

About can mean near
or nearly.

A book can be about something

or I can be about
to do a thing
and then refrain.

To refrain is to stop yourself.

A refrain
is a repeated phrase.

2

This table is an antique
from the early Machine Age.
The indented
circle within a circle
motif
which appears
at three-inch intervals
around the base
may be a nod
to craftsmanship
or may be a summary
dismissal of same.

It is charming
in its mute simplicity.

3

People will ask, 'Why should we care about this unattractive character?'
despite the fact that turning yourself into an admirable character
has been considered gauche for as long as I can recall.

The word 'transparent' is often affixed to such efforts
while the mystification surrounding the unflattering self-portrait
at least provides some cover.

Now someone will say, 'You don't need cover
unless you're standing naked at a window
shouting, 'Look up here!''