Stanzas: Monthly Chapbooks March 2015: Identity

I Am a Box Rachel Armstrong Shiny, with colour and sparkle and splendour Pretty, easy on the eye with a dramatic flair, All that shimmering, shining, cover Covering a tear here, a scuffed edge there, Even a ragged edged hole or two But all covered. I am a box Four sides, a floor, a lip. All things that a box should be, I conform to. A lid Held on tight with a bow, For fear of what might come out. I know better than to open up. I am a box Labelled with a Smile ‘May Contain Nuts’ printed largely, bold and ironic, Up to the brim with pretty dresses and half-dreamed fancies Fond remembered nights, forgotten nubs of chocolate Damp – Damp with long cried tears and spilled dreams Dashed hopes and sunken endeavours, All with a sprinkle of glitter I am a box Waiting to be opened Can you bear to lift that lid To gaze inside at all that I contain Not just idly mind my exterior I am a box An outward shell Hiding a person 12

Stanzas: Monthly Chapbooks March 2015: Identity | Page 12