I climb out of bed singing “Glorious day.”
I make my breakfast but drop the tray.
“O what do you do?” I mope.
“What
do you do when your love is not here?”
I
work on a draft but the thought is not clear;I read Lord of the Rings and forget to cheer.
“O what do you do?” I mope.
“What
do you do when your love is elsewhere?”
I
eat in a restaurant with whoever is there;I denounce the poets and pretend not to care.
“O what do you do?” I mope.
“What
do you do when your love is quite gone?”
I
take many baths and none is too long;I drink many cocktails and all are too strong.
“O what do you do?” I mope.
“What
do you do when your love is abroad?”
I
pick up the ’phone and play with the cord;I tell her I love her and then “I am bored.”
“O what do you do?” I mope.
“And
what will you do now she has returned?”
I’ll
check her expenses against what I earned;She’ll look aggrieved and I’ll look concerned.
“And then you will kiss?” I hope.
====================
© December 1979