again, youth

Perry Como vs. Frank Zappa

Frank, meet Perry (1977)*

A giddy sky-scudding truant afternoon
with Perry Como mellowing out 
at the Queen E theater down Georgia Street—
drummer Roy & I up Granville
down hash brownies from a paper bag, 
score low-hanging passes, 
free from a sauntering storm cloud, 
then climb even higher 
into the empty nosebleeds 
(cardigan Como cooing 
till the end of time) 
& the fueled hilarity of our lark fails 
to get us tossed, so the afternoon 
just modulates on in a haze . . .

all the while frenetic Frank Zappa, 
flying baton, lightning time signatures, 
& the whole shebang of his Mothers, 
are waiting patiently for us out by the fountain 
still attempting to re-invent themselves
while soaked through from the downpour . . .

for they too are contained by mystery—
to imbibe drops & drams of a casual croon 
that quickly dilutes the rushing ether 
of these last volatile days of our youth. 


*Perry Como (1912-2001) was a hugely popular singer and television star known especially for his casual and intimate 'crooner' vocals. His career extended from 1943 to 1987. Frank Zappa (1940-1993) was a highly innovative musician, composer and band leader who experimented in many genres, including rock, pop, jazz and fusion. He produced over 60 albums with his band, The Mothers of Invention, from 1966 with 'Freak Out!' until his death.