They Were Dying, Part 4 of 7
(Montgomery Clift was almost 40 years old
when he appeared in "The Misfits". Four
years earlier, he had badly damaged his
face in a car accident, symbolically ending
his matinee idol status. By this picture,
he was confused and abusing alcohol and
drugs. He died six years later, without
completing another major picture.)
The Longest Suicide
My face is fine. It's all healed up.
Nothing's important now.
But what is Tusker's game,
with this mother stuff?
He's asking me to do Freud
on his next one. Absolutely not!
Miller's losing it. And badly.
Pushing rewrites in her face,
on her case, catching her eye.
Then he wonders why.
She's a child. Don't chase her.
Don't buzz around. Just stand still.
Children come for love.
The old boy - he's the man.
He's something I can't understand.
A matinee idol is nothing
when he's got no youth.
I ought to know.
But somehow, this fellow's got truth.
He doesn't fake it, he just is.
I can't memorise this. Go.
Just leave me alone.
Copyright © Michael Coy | Year Posted 2017
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment