Back on the Poem A Day tools

Here's one to start things off:

Jan 10th

Selfie Psycho

crones like me

don’t wannabe

in selfies

‘Come on…Purleese!’

firm arms snake round

stooped reluctant shoulders

crushing captives

into shot

‘You look FINE!’

as if we need reminding

that we certainly do not

or of the march of time

and how it is

that we no longer look

straight down the barrel

but

we slouch into position

all resentment and obedience

a sullen grimace

sulks across

thin crumpled, painted lips

‘Just one more!’

desperate to hide

those lines and

deep neck hollow

choppers yellow

while young ones stretch out

long lithe, tattooed arms

and jam tongues firmly

behind their fluoride-perfect teeth

like they were taught to do

in selfie charm school

like

as if

they needed coaching

in the art of youth

sunlight

ricochets off

shiny hairless scalps

blinding passers-by

walking dogs in tiny shoes

you pout

and know exactly

why and how

this picture

will turn out

‘Smi-yulll!’ they bawl

and you duck in

cowering

closer to the pits

so many inches shorter

than you used to be

it seems

no good will come of this

why make a fuss

there's no use crying

out to just

leave me alone

let me enjoy this day

with you

for real

my way

without a record

no

and that is how you’ll look

forever, crone

in your sad

funeral

slide-show

linktr.ee/janeclifton