The Collected Poems of Ted Berrigan (32 page)

For example, Edwin is

the straightest person I

know,

& he’s been queer forever.

while Rudy is just like

Edwin,

& he’s straight.

Queer is a pretty queer

word.

“I’m a queer.”

Ha-ha!

How about

“I’m a straight.”

Unbelievable!

“I’m an American.”

O.K.

“I’m a Christian.”

Yes, I suppose

you must be.

“I’m a Poet.”

That must be an

interesting job.

“I’m a pill-addict.”

You
are
?

“I’m a grown-up, now.”

Ha-ha.

“I’m a father.”

That’s good.

“I’m a long-haired Weirdo.”

You seem perfectly normal

to me.

“I’m a great guy.”

Well, you are in a manner

of speaking.