The Catch

Dating online, you start to see yourself
as a commodity—and yes, it’s true.
Can you look at a photo and not wonder
who is the better catch, that one or you?

You fear you’ll undersell. You understate
or overstate your reasons for appearing
on this site or another. You begin
to catch yourself pulled into some endearing

small talk disguised as large talk, or reciting
old platitudes as if they’re something new,
when all you wanted was someone deserving
who’d hook your mind, go fishing, and catch you.

 Claudia Gary


If you have any thoughts on this poem,  Claudia Gary would be pleased to hear them.