too close to poem

I would posit that if your favorite poem is one you’ve written, you are not a good poet.

portrait of an author

The magazine he most wanted to publish in, he didn’t subscribe to.

If he went to a poetry reading it was because he was the featured reader, or the featured reader was someone important he hoped to introduce himself to after the reading.

When he was published in a literary magazine, he turned straightaway to his own poem, checking it for typos…then immediately closed the magazine.

Next thing to do, right after getting that publishing credit, was to update his c.v.

For an author photo, he pushed the limit, sending a photo two decades old.

His books all seemed to be published by different publishers; perhaps each editor was one and done.

His bio listed all his prizes and publications down to the most obscure and the earliest ones in his career.

In his apartment, the only books he owned, at least the only ones visible on bookshelves, were his own.

preferred to proffer his own

It became apparent that when he’d said that he loved poetry, he meant his own.

not seeing out

Too many poems are mirrors when they should be windows.

audience of one

A poet who never attended readings unless he was reading, or the reader was a poet whose favor he wanted.

otherwise unavailable

One never to be seen at another poet’s reading.