Let Businessmen Wear Black

On By Anna EastlandIn Poetry

Let businessmen wear black 

and straight-laced grey faces,

but let poets punctuate 

their wardrobes with patterns 

that leave lingering traces… 

Let bards wear bright flowers 

and nice funky hats, 

red shoes or loud boots

and snazzy jackets that shout:

“Oh, yeah, that’s right,

     you know it—

          you guessed it:

               I’m a poet!

I’m a walking, talking metaphor—

a symbol in motion and what’s more,

a barrel of books, ready to pour 

the golden brew of language

upon your heart’s door.”

4 thoughts on “Let Businessmen Wear Black”

  2. Anna, this poem is such a delightful and vivid celebration of the poet’s spirit! I love how you’ve contrasted the conventional, buttoned-up world of businessmen with the vibrant, expressive style of poets. The imagery of poets wearing “bright flowers,” “funky hats,” and “snazzy jackets” is so playful and perfectly captures the creative freedom that comes with being a poet. The way you weave in the idea of being a “walking, talking metaphor” is brilliant—it reminds us that poets live and breathe their art in every way. This piece not only paints a picture but also inspires a sense of pride in the poetic identity. Thanks for sharing this fun and empowering poem!

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