Sun In My Eyes

I stood with the book in my hand
back to the wall
face to the sky
legs crossed
expression
pensive, as though lost in thought

Posing for some unnamed audience
I guarded myself against
sitting cross-legged
comfortably
carelessly
on the dirty floor where the mating insects

crawled together without a thought
of my leering eyes
and intrusive mind.

I pretended to notice the words
on the fluttering pages,
but could not
tear myself
from my own self-consciousness.