Poetry
Self-Portrait
Jeffery Beam
1
I drew it
coarse
I drew it with a lean
toward something
cross
I struck it with an antler
and a tail
I brushed it fine
then began
the spell
This image wiry
faintly huge
emblematic
strange
evokes the falling timber
round the house
In the fireplace
on the panel
two bonfires roar
I give them
each
a portion
of my heart
2
I think it odd
almond eyes
gleaming
Turn to take the kettle from the fire
A tea-cup full
A yellow-flash
The lamp and my throat
shudder
3
By morning
it has spoken
black and whistling
A strange hand
takes pen
I name you friend