10.30.2024

an expressway of talk, fast and funny

Could never place him. 
But I'd go into 
BAR on 2nd Avenue 
and there he was, face 
lighting up, helpful 
silly and eager, yes 
started again 
and now unstoppable 
on an expressway 
of talk, fast and funny, but 
after half an hour 
I'd edge away. 
 
J.J., 
he said, J.J., 
that's my name. 
Talked, that time, 
of getting something published 
--So, you write! I said. 
Why, didn't you know, 
his smile triumphant, 
I was 
Frank O'Hara's last lover. 
 
Didn't see him again. 
It was like having met 
--years afterwards-- 
Fanny Brawne 
full of bounce, or 
Degen, the conceited 
baker's boy. 
 
No it wasn't. 
 
Rather, it was like having met 
Nell Gwyn, 
on the way down, 
good-natured, losing weight, 
still chatting about spaniels. 
 
[Thom Gunn {1929-2004}, 'Famous Friends' from Boss Cupid]

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