The Actor

This came out of reading Tom Baker's autobiography.

For most of my life
I have investigated limps;
the attitude of heads;
how hats transform faces.

I once lost myself in the plaid folds
of a scarf, trying to be Tom Baker

I locate everywhere
uncertainty shows -
the frantic left knee;
arms crossed at the neck -
and dismantle these patterns.

I now wait for the 37 bus
with the self-possession of an actor
and the depth a stage allows.