Enormous Red Hoveround
Jack is the man. He is planted
on the front porch of the condominium,
always decked Hollywood glamorous
in accoutrements so fine
he draws attention from the men
and the ladies walking out every night.
What’s he waiting for
at age ninety four with a one pint flask
of gin feeding his frame
that fast forwards him into a bed
before eight? Shit faced!
Jack’s hair is peppered white, worn
with globs of pomade, blue
and tacky, buffed as the shiny
grey of the sporty Ford Mustang
he sadly sold last summer
because he forgot he had to haul
an enormous red hoveround,
and his doctor restricted
his movements.
Jack’s best friend
is Amazon.
He once told me the way to live
in style is to wear something
for a day or two,
then send it back.
Today, I saw him in tweed golf pants,
loafers, a bright yellow silk shirt,
and a canary white ascot after
the stylishness of Cary Grant.
The lobby always has packages.
JACK N. Unit 2 — on at least one
box every single day.
I don’t know who he’s dressing for.
He’s not a great conversationalist
unless hammered,
and I can see a fading light
in his eyes.
I don’t know if it’s too late for him,
but I think he’s so beautiful
I could cry.
10 thoughts on "Enormous Red Hoveround"
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Love this portrait of Jack!
Jack is a good buddy of mine. ❤️
I love this portrait! Your descriptions are fresh and pointed!
I love this. Great descriptions
Jack is quite a character and I feel like I know him. You describe his quirks so well. Great ending!
I am agreeing with the other responders … the portrait is like a little painting, with Jack and the boxes and the porch and bottle of gin … and the way the gin loosens his lips but also, opens up the poem for you to see and write, and share
Kevin
thank you kindly all🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
I feel like I know Jack and I care about what happens to him. It’s a fantastic portrait of a certain time in one’s life when what you want is to feel good. And if one (literal) vehicle for feeling good about ourselves goes away, we’ll find another. Even in an amazon box.
I love this portrait. I see him and hear him. I think I know him now.
Thanks again! ❤️❤️