PORNOGRAPHY
by Bryan Borland
This is what it’s like
holding your own
book: picture a mirror
held up to your face,
uncomfortably close,
painfully close,
a torturous exercise
in exceptional vanity. Picture it
held there as you sneezed,
ugly-cried, laughed, tripped,
kissed, picked your nose.
Picture it broadcast
on the high-definition television
in your second cousin’s bedroom.
Picture a comma forgotten,
lines flubbed,
watching yourself
in something akin to pornography.
Picture a birthmark you didn’t
know was there
right on your ass,
right in the middle of the screen.
Now I know why
Brent Corrigan* doesn’t watch
his own movies.
© Bryan Borland
(*insert your favorite adult film star here.)
Love it…you are a great study…I am not going to pick your nose, I promise you that! just your brains…
How did I know you’d be the first to comment on a post titled, “Porn?”
“If I were a man I would walk around with a hard on”!
I love this poem. Partially because you’re a great writer, partially because I have a birthmark on my ass.
;D
I knew that because I read it on the bathroom stall at an Exxon in Troy, Ohio. Apparently it’s in the shape of Mary (full of grace) and people have come from miles around just to see your ass.
Mmmm-hmm! I had to get into PR somehow. How better than to write a bathroom manifesto, bible, or grimoire?!
And you misquoted. It’s Mary “He’s beauty, and he is grace.”
Queen, please.
Love you, Bry-Bry.
<3
“a torturous exercise
in exceptional vanity”
Nice work. Remember, you deserve to celebrate yourself.
If we take our craft seriously, it’s true: We are our own worse judge/editor/criticizer.
It’s like I’m standing naked, yo!
what a great way to view your own book, a pornography screened in front of us, with the crowd gathering to watch, holding popcorn and coke… ho.. man…
if it is so than i must say… you have one of the biggest i have ever seen..
I hear that a lot, Dhyan.
oh just love this Bryan
It felt so weird for me to go back and read my book when I received the proof copy. There were moments when I thought – I wrote that? in both good and bad ways!
Do you feel strange signing your chapbook (and soon, your book)?
i have a hard time thinking of things to sign but i’ve never felt strange about signing it. i have a harder time marketing it!
Oh, and this piece isn’t disgusting?
I’m calling Sarah Palin, something needs to be done about this, if only for the children’s sake!
One of the first poems I posted here referenced Sarah Palin’s “gasoline-soaked vagina.” Oh hey – also – remind me to tell you a story about the late actor John Candy.
Hahahahahahaha
I can understand being self aware, but don’t beat yourself up. I can personally say I look up to your writing skill and am looking forward to my package next week that will bring me a hard copy of your words.
Oh, I’m not really beating myself up. It’s just a strange (but very cool) experience! Hope you enjoy! And I’ve said it before – you’ve got every bit the writing talent I do!
DO NOT DIS JOHN CANDY. This is a warning from the great white north eh? lol
I liked this because you are clearly in possession of a healthy perspective regarding the ego aspect of writing. Signing books is a weird experience. I’ve signed a few Granny Books and I always feel silly doing it. Of course, I clean toilets during the day and when I sign a book, it’s like having a split personality. I even signed a copy for a customer AFTER I cleaned her toilet and her floor! Gotta love those ‘real world’ moments when they happen.
I love John Candy! I just came across a fact about him that I can’t get out of my head! I shall not post it here!
thanks for dropping in today so i could find…what an interesting verse…a little scared to look at myself that close…most porn is airbrushed any way right?
HA! Good retort!
But for all the failings you could find, there a hundred excellent pieces. And at least it exists in the first place! Take pride, man, you have a freakin’ BOOK.
WOOOHOOO! Your winning copy will be on it’s way as soon as ML gives me the much anticipated item from her home. I’ll get it this weekend.
It’s a real achievement Bryan, just enjoy the experience.
Thanks Paul!
I bought your book! I am going to review it everywhere and write the harshest possible most severe criticism which will be, “You are a Superstar!”
You taught me everything I know, Squires!
a very interesting perspective!
and oh, im hooked to your verses now…
Thanks, Sukanya! Sorry to… addict you?