Mathieson Byer
How To Write a Poem Without Using “I”
1. Remember what the pillows looked like
before, ask why it smells like there, smells
like her, smells like
2. Tea? Smile at a nice girl—ask her
how much ice without any looking
or loving
3. “Does dressing defeat the point of finishing
this salad?
4. Does dressing defeat the point of an unmade bed?
5. An invitation with nothing but a return address
6. Unmade bed;
the kind of angry that’s pretty
when it’s pressed against a glove box,
the kind of pretty that’s angry
when it’s dressed in yes
7. yesterday was for prayer and fucking
and fruit at the grocery store that came
right from this list
8. that time you wanted.
9. when want and guilt became the colors
you blended together
so they wouldn’t see the messy lines
10. when want and guilt became sky
11. Expiration date;
hands full of spoil shaking,
neck red with clay and bumps and things
that didn’t come from want
12. a poem without.