GERALD HAUSMAN








TEMPORARILY




I stuffed Phil’s pockets
with tens and twenties once
money my students
gave to me to give to him
after he read
Sourdough Mt Lookout
later we ate lunch
Phil’s white shirt
covered with red chile spots
“Seems I can’t eat without
getting it on myself,”
he said mopping his plate
with a sopaipilla
Phil said Jack said,
“One day we’ll all be old
railroad bums
together under the bridge
drinking bottles of Tokay wine.”
I told him
La Llorona
lived under the bridge.
“Who’s that?”
“The woman with no face.”
“Ah,” Phil said, squinting
“That building over there
is either a publisher or
a whorehouse, so many people
coming and going.”
“My publisher,” I said.
He laughed, “Good for you.”
When I dropped him off
At the zendo, we hugged
I asked when I’d see him again
“You know
I’m only here” – he paused --
Sun gleam on blue sage
“temporarily.”

Phil is Philip Whalen, old friend and early supporter to a once young poet Gerald Hausman. Go find for yourself his charmed book of poems New Marlboro Stage, amongst his many other titles for children, young adults, science fiction, biography, and not to be missed from Longhouse a tiny companion booklet of translations by Miyazawa Kenji. This poem is snatched out of Bokeelia also from Longhouse. When not storytelling on the road, Gerry can be found on a westward edge of Florida with Lorry looking out at the deepest blue.