Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Handwritten Letter Found in a Used Terry Pratchett Discworld Paperback

Dear Jude,
Here I am at Ladies Workout Express. I did papers earlier. I've got the copier jammed AGAIN. 
I'm getting the loan payments lower.
However I got a traffic ticket.
So I have to go to Traffic School for 4 hours.
The cost will set me back about $100.00.
Bitter cold today. I need to let Smoke out this afternoon.
Joyces funeral mass wasn't very good.
I had a headache from it.
Little Bruce fainted during it.
Andy one of the altar boys had to use the bathroom.
Grandma went with me and they had quite a crowd.
Neither Joyce's mom or dad were there.
There was no school Mon - Lincoln's birthday and no school Thurs. - Joyce's funeral.
Snow is melting & I found 2 dead chickens in the yard.
Not much is new, mostly work.
Horse fair is March 3rd & 4th. I might go.
I love you.
Shirley – Mom




Freak Dune Buggy Accident 
(For Frank O'Hara)  


Damn! Pacing cold,
Another winter, shivering
Until I can stand pat--
Acclimatized,
Cards close to my chest
And waiting.

I was only four months out
In July of '66
Just a mewling, grasping
Thing,
A baby,
Which is sort of the
Same as a poem,
I think.
You left behind (they say)
Hundreds of friends
And lovers,
But most importantly,
Your not-so-easily
Dis (missed) poetry.

I imagine you
Lying on the cold,
Damp sand of Fire Island,
The smell of diesel
In your nostrils,
Looking up at
The stars--grains of
Spilled salt on a crisp
Wedding tablecloth--
Chuckling to yourself,
The absurdity!
As Mayakovsky winks
From a passing cloud.


Highgate Cemetery, London