DON'T MIND ME.

A MAN SMOKING HIS CIGAR IN ROCHESTER USA.

Oh don’t mind me and
My cigar the man said
In Rochester today I sit
Oft and muse on all my

Yesterdays and faults and
Mistakes and the women
I had and might have had
If I’d played my cards right

But didn’t and so didn’t but
Don’t mind me and my lone
Philosophising to the wind
And birds and those who pass

And the cars and maybe those
Unseen angels that may linger
Close oh don’t mind me and my
Cigar sitting beneath the sun

And sky remembering the
Childhood I might have had
If I could recall any much at
All but can’t except the little

Girl down the street who was
Quite naive and sweet who
Would if no one else was
There lift her dress to show

Her underwear but she’s gone
Now and grown and fled
Showing her underwear to
Other men instead oh don’t

Mind me and my cigar or
Think me odd for sitting and
Musing and puffing smoke
Muttering lines of poetry

Or the half forgotten joke
Said the man in Rochester
Today as you clicked his
Photo smiled and walked away.

Author's Note

PHOTO BY ARLEEN HODGE.