909: Generation Gap (pandemic edition)

NOT IN THE SAME PLACE (July 27) —

The Old Man:

No reason for panic. Keep calm. Carry on.

We’ve seen pandemics before.

And, although the climate is changing,

it is not as though we were at war.

Things may get worse. As a matter of fact

peak hurricane season is nearing;

but we are in position for launching Mars missions

and at the launchpad the weather is clearing.

The “Yute”:

I say, FUCK IT, we get in our cars

and drive somewhere they’ve opened the bars.

And the clubs. And the restaurants.

Staying inside in summer sucks.

Can’t go to the park or the beach or a movie.

We need to get OUT. We need to PAR-TY!

And, did I mention, we're sick of Netflix.

We need to have sex — and so do the chicks.

We're at home — ALONE! — while Twitter is trending 

#THEWHOLEGODDAMNFUCKINGWORLDSENDING!

No. 219: An Ancient's Rime Of Taylor Who

Last year, Taylor Swift was SOMEONE
and I was seventy-three.
That Taylor Swift last year was SOMEONE
what could THAT mean to me?

Taylor Swift is still SOMEONE.
I am now seventy-four.
That Taylor Swift is still SOMEONE,
should I care more — or less? — than before?

If I offend, please forgive me.
I mean no disrespect for Ms. Swift.
It's just I'm tired of hearing about
people I don't identify with.

Give me tales about Eastwood,
Burnett, Poitier and Gabor.
Living or dead (and older than me),
that's who I need the news for.

Names remembered from childhood
(Is Taylor kin to Tom Swift?)
to ease me into senility
as I go slowly adrift.