NaPoWroMo 2024, Day 29, Antithetically Self-effacing

The darling lexicographers at Merriam-Webster selected ten words from Taylor Swift songs. I was double-dog-dared to choose one of the words and write a poem that uses that word in its title.

Antithetically Self-effacing

Having a love-hate relationship
with attention and spotlights
and being “that guy” when attention
is focused on me, which makes it weird
that I like to stand and speak at the mic,
to be the MC, the introverted old man
who is not very shy—that guy
is certainly me. She said I had
“mic presence” (whatever it was).

I will talk to anyone, especially
those who break the clichéd ice first.
Me! The stage crew grunt who,
without notice or one second of rehearsal,
had to read his lines from
Macbeth in front of the entire
student body, whose girlfriend
said, “Your pants were so tight,
I was distracted. You read lines?”

Yeah, I am that guy.

Look both ways and listen to the words of the tortured and ravaged poets,
and when the West Reading angel sings, or gives one of her looks;
sing, sing, sing; or dance, if you can’t.
And mind the gaps if she gets you tickets for the Super Bowl.

18 thoughts on “NaPoWroMo 2024, Day 29, Antithetically Self-effacing”

  1. I think you got the antithetically self-effacing description down pat. 

    Isn’t it funny how we can like one thing in one way but loathe it in another? I think it’s all about choice. When we choose to, we are good with it; when it is imposed on us, not so much (until we get into the groove…)

    Très bien, mon ami 😉

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    Reply

    1. Merci mon ami Canadien 🙂

      That’s right.

      And considering teenage mentality, most did not notice that I was “reading” my lines, and fewer still had any idea I was not the intended actor. I felt like I had pulled off my first official gig/deception/acting role. All while shaking in my too tight pants. LOL

      I like the phrase “in [into] the groove.” It applies quite well to so many situations. 🙂

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      Reply

      1. Ton amie canadienne 😉

        I think you more than pulled it off. Shaking in your too-tight pants (they kept your legs outwardly steady…)

        Oh yes, it does.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. A poem every day is very doable, if not easy. But working the prompts can be more of a challenge than I want to face. It’s 11 months away, so I shall wait and see.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. It is hellishly NOT doable. Sorry, I speak for myself. The thought of posting every day gives me hives 😉 I exaggerate just a lot.
        And yeah, I can understand that. You may change your mind as in 11 months you could forget how much work it was. 😂

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      6. Right. I have fewer followers, so less back and forth for me.

        With the FF and Sammi, I try to comment on all players. With NaPo, not expected.

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Not always a bad thing!

        I do, as well. Except the ones that over time I realise do not reciprocate, or answer or even like. Buh-bye!

        Liked by 1 person

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