For My Back Pages
Plain man with simple tastes,
a sordid past. No, that says
I’ve grown dull in my age; also,
perhaps I was once a contract killer
or young ruffian caked in grime.
How about Hard worker
who likes a bit of fun come the weekend?
Too vague. Could mean
I have no time for you
or I’m an avid golfer—
which is worse? A man of habits—
does that imply junkie
or likes to cross-dress as a nun?
What does a geranium write
to attract a bee to its pinkish lip?
Describing myself as open-
minded could declare
I’m a passive-aggressive bi
who clings to passionate affairs.
Where did I put those geraniums?
They’re blooming again,
fourth time in as many months:
lovely clusters of painted mouths.
I’m a man of distractions:
that indicates no attention span,
when I want to say,
Have morning coffee with me, &
I’ll tell you my life story,
which you might find interesting
because, according to your listing,
you’re an amateur
anthropologist, from which I infer
you listen to lengthy tales
of everyday humdrum
while daydreaming Venice
or the dark side of the moon.