Poem 40

Look in the mirror

See a body, face, clothes, hair

much more is unseen

Let me spin your eccentricities

My buddy Nick is over there at "Nick here and Now" asking about where to find the divide between "eccentric" and "normal" and apart from saying that normal is a cycle on a washing machine i thought i might analyse some of the things Nick and/or I might do that are viewed as eccentric:

• coloured socks are flamboyant
• unusual clothes are expressive
• leanings to socialism show compassion and a sense of justice
• vegetarianism is environmentally responsible and compassionate
• feminism is the only way
• disinterest in sport is a minor variation
• unusual musical choices just say a person is an independent thinker
• naturally greying hair is honest
• interest in natural therapies is taking advantage of all the options

as far as i am concerned, displaying my eccentric or even lunatic side just gives other people permission to explore theirs. we are all be happier and healthier if we just relax about who we are.

i tell my kids i can spin anything, go on, tell me your eccentricities and i'll see what i can do?