Monday, 15 April 2013

The Chauvinist's Compleynt

“What do you do when your love is away?”
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.

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© December 1979