Mikaela Castledine #224 At the Book Launch

She says I knew you were a writer

I scan the crowded room at the writer’s centre

and say yes

but long

with a bend in the middle

a sibilant end and a questioning inflection

she says I can always tell

they look at the world differently

you can see it on their skin

I’m not sure I agree

everyone looks pretty much the same

skin is skin

words don't flicker through

I am dressed as an artist

its my usual defence

and I think this has confused her

I don't know I say

I don't spend much time with writers