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A poem by Nicholas Laughlin

Published in The Strange Years of My Life


Sub Rosa

What starts in the tepidarium
will end in my memoirs.
As many regrets as friends.
As many friends as second thoughts
as bad mistakes.
I was born too young. I came the wrongside way.

I have had many third thoughts, fourth guesses,
five parts gin.
My gasoline days.
— I hate to make a mess
but I do what I have to do.

I was there when they raised the flag.
My name was on the list, Pierrot. I never took the oath.
I did my time.
I did your time.
I wear the same tattoo.

— But who do I fool.
The accent gives me away.
Hence the funny walk, hence the wince.

 


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