Curtain Fall

Clothing and grooming – instant carbon dating
denim and John Lennon
long-haired men, unshaven woman
shoulder pads and bouffant
goatee and cargo pants – naval start and crop tops –
places in time.

Stubbies they were called,
brief fashion infection circa 1980 – 83
men’s shorts, functional and acceptable
barbecue to blue-collar to sub- management
50% ubiquitous.
And niche to the same years, a moustache –
Magnum PI derived and 85% ubiquitous.
Stubbies and a moustache
is what comes to mind when I recall Patrick :
pale blue and lip hairlines that didn’t join
a finger width of flesh in the middle,
two snow ridges to a bare summit.

I was young, new and eager
eager to be successful and liked
jump on the count of three –
would’ve jumped by one.

With Patrick, nothing – instant frost – just add water.
A kingdom with an elderly monarch
and middle-aged courtesans
he was the young prince – had been for a few years
and now I was here,
it wasn’t me he disliked. It was succession.