Collected Poems of John Holmes
Holmes, John A., Jr.
2002
Lady is a lady
Lady is a lady
Madam, your manners unman me, almost. It is gently thought, to tell me of one We both know, who recently, and near, Praised me to you for what I had done | |
For whom, woman? Good God, done what? Your graciousness may report a fame, But would not draggle it in its cause, Nor demean my pride with a mere name. | |
But I have none, since your sweet pursed Elderly lips gagged it with a smile. And I smile. I shall suffocate. I am eaten with eleventh-century bile. | |
Tell me tell me tell me tell hag. Never mind. The timing is off. Good manners, lady, is timing it right. You needed only to emit a cough | |
To get my attention, and blink, nod, But you spoke, unthinking what for. Love has been murdered ways enough. Yet kindness is your one kill more. | |