old trooper

Old Trooper

It is the circle the street light, when going
home from the bar, that makes me ham it
up, I tell jokes too but don’t sing opera
anymore, (complaints from people who live
in the houses opposite the limelight.) I used
to dance as well, but that attracted a jeering
audience and unflattering comments,
Restrict myself to read poetry now, for dogs
so homeless that they wag a tail when seeing
themselves in a dirty puddle of water, and
reticent cats, which stop, clear of the light,
wait for me to go home so rats can come out
of sewers when looking for burgers, chips
and greasy paper to lick. I don’t do encores!