Back to School

Back to School 

The time of year when the sun takes the color

Of pages in a paperback left too long on a shelf,

September makes Underwood remember school

And a girl who gave him a book.

"You should read this. It reminds me of you."

September makes Underwood think of promises and lies,

Books he did not read. A sun will come up

Tomorrow

But not this one. Every day passing

Is a torn-out page.

Underwood studies the mirror, researching

The cause of each wrinkle. Considers

Buying a pink shirt, maybe some shoes.

This time of year everything's on sale.