Three Apologies

To the man on the bus, drunk and alone

I was rude, had fun
at your expense.

Perhaps you did not
hear me. Perhaps

you did. I acted
juvenile. My jokes,

contrite and stale,
left a bad taste

in my mouth.


To the girl in a dress at the bar in the LES

I forget your name.
We've met once or twice.

You went to RISD,
FIT or Pratt

to study fashion
or photography.

Now, you say that you
are a trendsetter.

I am pallid and
parched. Can I buy you

a drink? Your lips are
so wet and so full.


To the boy on the other end of the telephone line

Your name appeared
on the information
release form.

We tried to contact him.

I called
to discuss the results
of the second biopsy.

I never saw your face.

You are twenty-two years
and three days old.
There's not much we ...

More meaningful words implied.

You sit down
in your father's garden
and breath.