Eye Postures for an Old Texas Western

Jan Seale

June 4, 2022

I.  Down

This stance is designed

with boot toes in mind

and inspecting anthills,

yet also snakes,

canyons,

and…ah, heck…

becoming a dirt expert.

II.  Sideways

This pose is supposed

to be right

for birds low in flight,

for furry things in hollow logs,

for looking inside windows

while board-walking;

exact for sending hate down the bar

or bonnet-viewing in church.

III. Straightways

A position perfect

for spitting goals it is,

as well as playing hypnotist

or sitting duck;

just fine for missing tree trunks,

winning arguments,

and looking dead.

IV.  Up

This bearing is rare,

reserved for overhead tornados,

for spying hat or feather

dawning the ridge,

for knowing the hills of home,

for spotting noon. 

Jan Seale is a lifelong Texan. She is the Poet Laureate of Texas for 2012. She belongs to the Texas Folklore Society, the Poetry Society of Texas, the Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers, and the Texas Institute of Letters.