My escape and embarassment

I’ve discovered books,

But –

I can’t tell me mates –

Orwell, Lorca and Sillitoe,

But,

I can’t tell my mates –

 

I mean,

Imagine what they’d say?

Imagine what they’d think?

He’s gone all gay –

He’s gone all weird –

Hardy, Miller and Camus,

Bukowski, Rimbaud and Blake,

I’ve discovered books,

But –

I just can’t tell me mates –