Wednesday, November 10, 2010

This culture pops with paparazzied boys


It is not fair to be old, to put on a brown sweater.
—William Carlos Williams



This culture pops with paparazzied boys:
The chiseled werewolves time may pass on by,
Those extras Lady Gaga's vids employ.
Of these, and more, I watch the clock and sigh.

You see, the years may tick away the days
Of gay abandon: Youthful heads which turn,
Which play to me with magic flesh flutes raised,
And glutes, like melons—'tis my grip they yearn.

Boy culture proves to be a mean size queen
Who measures youth and beauty o'er deep things.
And therein lies the paradox between
The fantasies and bound'ries old age brings.

     I've yet to pass that chasm yet, but see
     The signs around—which shouldn't bother me.


6 comments:

  1. Reading this poem brought to mind that tired phrase "The youth is wasted on the young" I never understood it until it was too late. This poem for me captures that reality very well. It was revelation and truth all rolled into one. But I must admit I hated the Gaga part only because I hate her. After moving beyond the concept of her I was able to embrace your words and sadly agree with them. Thank for sharing this poem. I enjoyed it...even with that lady in it lol.

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  2. I could not separate Lady Gaga from "paparazzi". :)

    [BTW, the poet/writer Kate Durbin (The Ravenous Audience) has a critical journal Gaga Stigmata that's worth checking out.]

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  3. Werewolves, dancers in the background, obsession with the body beautiful... who needs it?
    There is no substitute for the man inside the boy.. and some just don't have it.

    Wonderful sonnet bemoaning the divide between youth and age in grande tradition. Thanks for sharing, Philip.

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  4. The wisdom age brings, bringing us the loss of abandon. This has so many great images woven into it, put forward in a thoughtful way.

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  5. Yes youth is wasted on the young....but if Lady Gaga had years of wisdom in her head...her body would not match it nor her talent....so youth is for the young...the truly enjoyed mine...wisdom tells me to watch where I step as not to break a bone ...bkm

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  6. Fantastically well written. Love it.

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