VANITY by J.R. Solonche

VANITY

I’ve been walking around
mumbling the word vanity.
I can’t get it out of my head
or off my lips. “Vanity,” I say,
shaking my head, when I see
the cardiologist drive off in his
new Mercedes. “Vanity,” I say,
shaking my head, when I watch
the woman in the supermarket
ostentatiously display her Gucci
bag. “Vanity,” I say, shaking my
head when the teenage lovers
walk down the street wearing
matching Jordans and aviators.
“Vanity,” I say to my reflection
as I pass in front of the book
store window. “All is vanity,”
I say, shaking my head.

*

Nominated for the National Book Award, the Eric Hoffer Book Award, and nominated three times for the Pulitzer Prize, J.R. Solonche is the author of 40 books of poetry and coauthor of another. He lives in the Hudson Valley.