Joey Cloudy online

Old Poesy Friend at a Poetry Reading

 

I saw an old poet friend last night 

at the poetry reading at Bills Record Store 

we shook hands and talked about 

what we’re reading and writing 

Kyle says he’s reading Miklos Radnoti 

get the fuck outta here I say 

with 12 year old scotch on my breath 

the Hungarian poet I read a poem about him earlier today 

I thought his one book was out of print 

it is, I feel kinda guilty for buying it because I know 

the only reason the book was on the shelf was because Robert ordered it 

man that happens all the time 

put a book on hold and then by the time you go back 

someone’s put the damned thing back on the shelves 

I put Francias Villon complete works on hold by accident 

I was thinking of Caesar Vallejo 

Fransia Villon he says 

correcting my mispronounced French is great 

who’s done a good translation that’s why I didn’t buy the book in the first place 

I was hoping to run into you so I could ask 

I’ve only read one book by him so I have nothing to compare it to 

I’ll buy it anyways it’s only six bucks 

so how is Robert these days I don’t see him much 

Robert Cochran is another old poet friend 

Robert has a job. 

“kitty petting, baby kissing, puppy loving, corporate rock whores  ” 

Robert! has a job!? 

I want that tee shirt I wonder who the band is 

at the book stop in park cities of all places. 

I love the beard man it’s beautiful you look very Whitmanesque 

he lowers his eyes and smiles 

he smiles shy and brilliant 

And he is his smile 

You reading at bohemia the velvet hookah 

No time since school started still go to insomnia 

I see Reagan hiding in plain sight from time to time 

You still teaching at that all girls private school Hockaday 

Yeah they feed me there 

Looks like you’ve been working out 

No just working on the trucks with my brothers 

Quit smoking gained about 50 pounds this year 

Looks good on you 

Thanks you working out 

No I’m just growing a beard and growing fat 

I wish I could grow a real beard like you 

We take our seats and listen to the duo 

A pretty young girl sings indecipherable lyrics and plays classical guitar 

with the Bjork bearded boy on electric violin 

Like Lori Anderson but not like Lori Anderson 

After their set we read our poems 

And listen to poems 

I confess I don’t know if like his poetry because I love him 

Or if I really love his poetry still, it’s good to see old poet friends 

When it’s over I offer him my hand 

He pulls me to him and hugs me and we shake like hands.