Untitled

		You are not, you are not.
In my boots I pound you.
This face you have put on me,		Yes I am, Yes I am.
Charlatan's mask.			in everything and everywhere
I wear it well, do you not agree?	with my black and boots and
Tilt and pose and catwalk stride,	neat shining stride I am everywhere
She is not me this courtesan celeb.	you are not.

I nurse at her breast, little vampling.	With the click of the model
She is not. You are not. I am not.	and the flick of the camera
					in the shining river of hair
					in everything you could never be
					I am there I am there I am there.

					I am ghosts in the kitchen
					and ghosts at the table
					and the visitor who never arrived
					I am thin where you're chunky
					elegant where you're clunky
					and even the thorn in your side.
She is not.
					When the clock's all over and
					old times are wearing thin
					when the spring's come out
					of the mattress
					that's when you let me in.
You are not.
					and all you do is helpless
					beating at the doors of dawn
					because you know i am i am i am strongest
					when i am gone.
I am not.


January 17, 1996
© Lela Kaunitz & Amanda A. Matras