The March of the Ex-Boyfriends
"Ta ra! Ta ra!
The band is warming up
for the march of the ex-boyfriends.
You joined this march only recently.
You will be the last in the line.
It is a naked march, so you won’t enjoy it.
Some of the others do.
Here they go!
I’m on the top riser,
watching, clapping, waving.
I know all these penises by heart.
If I wanted to,
I could identify each one
in pitch darkness.
The marchers are nervous.
They want to start punching each other.
Or perhaps they are bored.
They’ve done this march
so many times.
It’s all for my entertainment
but this time I am not entertained.
The old letters, the bursting into tears,
the birthday presents and promises --
they weigh on me like a wet bathing suit.
I can only think
that I wish this march
were a lot shorter.
from November, 2000 issue