FRITZ HAMILTON

MARGIE, WHY?
(for Margie)

Margie
Why, when you leave me, must
The sky burn out and

Bury me in darkness ... when
Just a minute ago we embraced before
Carton's Restaurant turning

Chicago into a sunflower in my palm and
Titillating old Sol into a brilliant passion ... but
Now you've left to spend the afternoon with

Your doctor husband, the genius from Brazil, and
I am a pile of cold coffee grounds with
A string of lost coffee cups behind me covered

With lipstick ... and
I sit on the curb like a derelict plucking
Sunflower petals

She loves me
       She loves me not
              She loves me

                   She loves me
                                         not
                                                …
                                                       !