By J.J. Tindall
PINDARIC ODE TO THE FANTASTIC FOUR
Ladies: respect. You four came out the front door
at Oakley and North Aves. one late-autumn night
as I lugged the last of my book collection to
Myopic. I was already out of breath, but you guys
took whatever was left. Four of you, ready to PARTY!
One of you said: “We’re all wearing short skirts!”
Indeed: short skirts, leggings, knee-high spiky
boots.
Lo: you are better-educated, better-paid and
better-prepared for life than your male counterparts.
Me? I’m a generation
older than y’all.Your power, confidence and obvious
success turns me ON. No threat here. I am a success,
too, but I am poor.
I envy the men of your generation, not you guys. Be
patient
with them. The one you fall in love with might not
make a
great husband. Have joy, then move on. You’ll find
what you
need. Hello: I love you. I blew my nose and then
y’all blew my mind. Me? I am off the hook. My
generation has
exceptional women, too, and they have loved me madly.
But your youth, energy, elan and grace hurt my heart.
Then, quickly, it healed,
stronger than ever.
I treasure this. I will never
forget you.
–
J. J. Tindall is the Beachwood’s poet-in-residence. He can reached at jjtindall@yahoo.com. Chicagoetry is an exclusive Beachwood collection-in-progress.
Posted on February 4, 2008