sell me a clip-on
bow-tie or a mock
fringe chapeau worn on
the collarbone—a
new style of 'shoulder
hat,' a cape to
protect your shoulders
from rain and chill and
to prevent the wearer
from sliding (like
Mickey Mantle) into
a third gender
now I've
reached the 'clinker' zone
of perforated opportunities

—perforated appurtenances

but then Edith Piaf
suddenly thrilled me
a newly
discovered Venezuela, a
view—
a rendre compte,
a liar on the corner
(thirsty corner) of
23rd and 9th, a gazelle,
a rendezvous chapel
(a chaplet of
daisies around my
pleurisy brow) —