EDWIN ALBEE'S LIFE
(1928-1916)

Straights
he said rather graciously
and temperamentally
in the hotel lobby
picking up his camera
in a photography exhibit
by the shoe shine boy
feeling numb
yet playing footsie
on his corner chair
but not falling dumb
in a two toned happiness
to engineer and share,
we all miss Edwin Albee
who mounts the elevator
unwilling to sleep
downs a heavy German beer
with the freedom
of a deep hand gesture
in officialdom
even to piss until he creates
a greater play of welcome
in his autobiography
than "The Zoo Story"
a stranger to himself
with all his fame and wealth
as a new hurting actor comes
to town that he is meeting
with the back of a playbill
not in any defeating stealth
by playing at the Schubert
and to share the thrill
in the Great Commonwealth.