FRANK O'HARA'S DAY
(1926-1996)

Without regrets
the sunshine is quickening
on Frank O'Hara's day
leaves his single bed
in Manhattan
goes to the sink
in a soapy washcloth
with words on his tongue
saving face in a mirror
stares out of a sealed window
checks his lottery bet
as is his business pattern
up from the dank cellar
by his thick doors
puts up a print on a napkin
of a portrait by Larry Rivers
an art friend at the Cedar bar
on his bedroom wall
Frank finds a pawn check
along the dark corridors
circles his gothic hallways
still chain smoking
until he devours a bagel
chestnut soup and cup of java
from a persistent vendor
on the steps covered for Fall
over trembling leaves
this October morning
a fly by night pigeon insists
on greeting to thank him
with an unwelcome offering
on his newly dry cleaned coat
as he tries to think of a title
and words for a new collection
at an urban read at his recital
trips over trembling red leaves
this October morning
with a future lunch poem intact
inside his slim poetry pocket
he is slap happy
knowing he will get
a massage soon,
yet under cloudy skies
it starts to briefly rain
in a shower of five minutes
he is showing up early
at the dank sweat lodge
forgetting the foul weather
the sun returns to its secrets
as Frank tells Casablanca
(the wonder world's masseur
wearing a sable collar
and a white turban)
loads of gossip from the club
who play dodge ball together
with him many afternoons
yet remains a rank amateur
sharing a poet's flashing words
and flesh on the pool table
for a rub down and towel
near the lanky guys
in the locker room
as he forgets what is not loving
by handing Casablanca
another soup spoon
for his epileptic episodes
when brother Frank is able.