Autobiographia Litteraria

         

            Johnny Nolan has a patch on his ass
            Kids chase him

                    --Lawrence Ferlenghetti

            O I had that thing—
Patch on the ass,
Guaze-y S.O.S. dangling
Like a fig,
Stain on the world--
            & the kids who ate dirt
Geniuses all—
They knew
The sign--
            Bull’s Eye;
Local flag;
Dog in the manger;
Birth mark;
            Patch on the ass;
& God have mercy—
Running for your life
Hoping
Just that once
To cut out
Into stray eternity;
Morse code in your head;
            Patch on the ass;
            Patch on the ass;
& street lights coming on.