A Baker's Dozen From 1988 - Page 12

                                                                                                                                       

   

                                                                    1.

                                                                                                                                                                     you can report back to

                                                                                                                                                             

    whomever you're seeing

                                                                                                                                                          on Monday that you did

                                                                                                                                            

     a superb job this weekend.

                                                                                                                                                 January 1988

2.

around the perimeter is

four hundred and forty steps

and at a yard per step, three

times around would be a mile.

January 1988

3.

my memory has been leaving

me more frequently of late;

I keep wondering what that 

means but am afraid to ask.

January 1988

4.

we began this adventure when I was

twenty-two, barely a man by standards;

we both aged quickly, learning 

more than we had bargained for;

we could still have a life but we're

afraid of giving up our old one.

January 1988

5.

at my face, I look in the morning,

each day when I shave and what

I see doesn't know who I am or

why I am staring at it so firmly.

January 1988

6.

I ask myself if I've accomplished

what I wanted to and the answer

is always no...  there is always

else I'd rather be doing today.

January 1988

.

7.

and the girls who knew me 

knew what I was after and

the women who knew me

later when I was older knew

what I was after as well...

and the ladies who knew me

past forty knew what I was

after but no longer wanted.

January 1988

8.

the holidays went by quickly

I was busier this time than before,

working in and out of the yard; it 

made  me hungry and I ate all the 

time...  its nice to be returning.

January 1988

9.

her tone was less than cordial

her manner straight forward

her looks left a lot to be desired

but she was damn good in bed.

January 1988

10.

hours I waited for my fears to abate

they eased somewhat but never fully

my nerves weakened and I wanted out

I could not believe you had left me.

January 1988

11.

I read your book and knew 

what you liked and disliked;

you came for me out of the darkness

but you will return there with me.

January 1988

12.

I see so many with whom I would

like to be, knowing none of them 

will share my bed and wondered 

if I might have married too soon.

January 1988

13.

I sent you a card today asking

for a leave-of-absence and your

reply came in silent overtures 

from you ritualistic upbringing.

January 1988