No Self Portraits (2019)

“[...] All my Muse’s poetry has been harmless: American and diplomatic: a learned helplessness Is what psychologists call it: my docile, desired state. I’ve been largely well-behaved and gracious. I’ve learned the doctors learned of learned helpelessness  By shocking dogs. Eventually, we things give up. [...]” -Solmaz Sharif  “Desired Appreciation”