lenny bruce tattoo [draft no. 2]

there’s her handwriting

hidden faintly in the mirror.

…

i’m fat with second hand smiles

the sun gliding across your pepperbright skin

here on this coffeeshop couch

convincing elbow high across the overfull beast

…

it’s simply floating here, i can’t blame anyone but myself

or maybe my mother, who first floated the thing,

saying, “i can’t blame anyone but myself.” but

i’m convinced: this is a good idea, sold to a lioness

before waking beside her

her new sweat massaged into the mattress

in the aura of whatever, is sold without much sell

then buyer’s remorse: this sweet thing cannot smile back.

…

“what do you mean he kissed a leper?

“what’s the point in that? you kiss them

“and they fall apart.”

Joseph M. Gerace