Gratefully I Listen to Tommy James and the Shondells sing “Get Out Now”

GRATEFULLY I LISTEN TO TOMMY JAMES AND THE SHONDELLS SING

“GET OUT NOW”

Even when I squeeze the fruit and eyeball it closely, when I get it home it’s wounded. Among dairy products I forget to check the sell-by date. It’s already sour when I pour a glass. I think

of my boyfriend who says he wants to marry me, but craves one more fling with some closet case with barbells at the gym. And another with the plumber’s assistant with polished tools. Can’t I be

understanding? Actually, no. I play “Get Out Now” which warns of heartbreak, like a train coming and the lights flash. I wait. The train goes by. I ride over the tracks and on my way.

Another train will come. Dusk will capture me like a butterfly in a pink net. I can escape that too.

Ken Pobo