dVerse Poets Poetics

I chose one of the listed words, *cool.*

The Quality of Cool

Cool is looking into the small mirror over the sink and seeing what could and would be.

Cool starts with medium length hair, greased to a perfect dovetail in the back. After that is checked, a liberal amount of Aqua Velva is splashed everywhere.

Cool is donning a pair of skin tight Levi jeans, rolled up on the cuffs to show a clean white pair of gym socks. The socks then shoved into a pair of penny loafers, shiny black.

Cool is retrieving a semi squashed pack of Camels from behind the toilet and placing them carefully into the rolled up sleeve of a white cotton t-shirt. A folded matchbox packet placed in a pocket and once again check the mirror.

Cool is the expensive black leather jacket saved for after running a paper route for the last three years. It’s now draped over an upholstered chair to keep its shape, then protectively pulled over the t-shirt and checked the zippers.

Cool is the nonchalant stride down the hallway or street, pausing to glance in a shop window.

Coolest of all would be the ultimate dream of walking out of home and sliding onto the back of a Harley-Davidson Hummer or into a Chevrolet Corvette.

Coolness can be shown by these outward ornaments, but true cool is looking into a mirror and knowing deep down you are the best without them.

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