Elizabeth and Thomas were driving over
to the East Durham flea market to pick up
a dresser. I haven’t been there
this summer so I ask
if I can go with them. We only have
half an hour which isn’t enough time
for me. I find an old postcard of Allen
Ginsberg and bring it to the man in charge.
He’s a kind older man not too good
at making small talk but he looks at the picture
and says Do You Know Him.
I love him I say and smile.
I see he says. An ex.
Esther. my friend Lisa was ginsberg's assistant when he taught @ bklyn college. he taught poetry in the fine arts dept. it was 1986. he took over for John ashbery who was participating in the "mccarther fellows programs. liisa was working on her MFA at that time. I was going to the college to pick up my hearing aids from the audiology department. they were free of charge to those who allowed students to take you through the entire process. I wanted to meet Allen ginsberg. she told me to stop by his office area @ 4pm.my hearing aid fitting was running much later than I anticipated. I stopped by his office and it was locked. I walked over to Flatbush avenue to Catch the subway. I decided to stop into this amazing bakery for a black & white to soothe by disappointment. there he was ordering a prune danish.that was my first choice but it leaves ones hands too sticky and the B&W was easier to eat on the subway. he noticed my pick and wanted to know if they were any good.i told him they were as good as the ones sold in "Moishe's bakery on 2nd ave. & e.9th st. I told him that the next time I was @ moishe's I would get him one and give it to Lisa to "share" it with him. he said" get two. one for Lisa & one for me. I am a big time nosher as you can see". all I could say was," I love you." I never got to the bakery before the term ended, so, I owe him-xx
Courage... feel I seek it more everyday