as you read my poems br you imagine what my face would be br given said facts and thoughts like br the way i spend my nights writing br and facing the computer till twilight, br i must be thin, and since i have br lesser sleep, i must have dark br deep, sunken, almond eyes br like the insomniac's night, br my lips may have cracked br due to many coffee cups br giving liveliness to my lines, br my shoulders may have fallen, br due to extreme exhaustion, br my skin may have dried and br my hair may have been scattered br by the strong wind br like those poets who no longer br care for their health and hygiene. br br i am sorry but you are wrong. br You have to see me to know me. br You have to touch my hand and br feel the warmth of my palms. br You have to touch my hair to br feel the softness of my soul. br br i will that poet who orders plain br mineral water instead of beer. br I may wear a black coat but br there will be no white carnations br inside the pocket of my chest.br br RIC S.