Sizzling Surprises

Sizzling Surprises I’m ruminating here on this promenade of sizzling surprises. I’m sitting here, watching the living denizens walk on by. None of these sentient beings ever look at me, Never see or acknowledge me, not for one second, Never say even one word to me, as I sit half dead here, On this hardened beaten park bench. Just watching and wondering why the heck they don’t look at me. Ah, there’s a young lady, just sat down across from me, On the bench over there, a dozen purposeful strides away. Hey honey, look over here. I’m an old dude still walking the earth; You know, like you and everyone else; I’m just looking at you, I mean no harm, really. Just checking you out, as a half-dead man would, Desperately, with no conscience or inward analysis. Just looking at your slender svelte legs, crossed like pretzels in the sun, And I am thinking and wondering why you don’t look at me. Is it because I’m an old dude, with one foot in the grave? Is it because you’re afraid to encounter another human being, face to face? A human who has seen the fortunes and misfortunes of a long life. A human man who can create a masterpiece of sizzling surprises, Just for you, all in a matter of five astonishing minutes! Oh, for God’s sake! Stop staring at your cellphone and look over here, just for ten seconds! I’m an old dude still walking the earth, And I could teach you a thing or two about living, About connecting and responding and empathizing, About turning your mono-vision away from yourself, and your narcissism. Just for ten seconds, try to see the loneliness of another sentient being; You know, like me and everyone else here; I’m just looking at you, I mean no harm, really. Just want to connect, as I once did with the young ladies, Long ago under this same sizzling sun, up there, Long ago when I sought those same sizzling surprises that I seek now, And the sucking maelstrom of intense pleasures I could conjure up for you, All in a matter of five astonishing minutes!