Poem for retirement of fabulous gay man
October 9, 2020 2:35 PM Subscribe
I am something of a go-to person for occasional verse among my friends and acquaintances, and a friend who is retiring has asked me to read a poem at his retirement party. Help me find my way to the right one.
The retiree in question is an absolute flamer and sweetheart of a gay man is retiring from work as a librarian; he is the widow of a man who worked in fashion in Manhattan, and still lives there with his two small dogs. The poem in question may reference aging in a positive way; might be an ode to gayness; could reference dogs; can certainly include humor; may be a bit bawdy; could be spiritual or religious but not in a heavy-handed Christian way; should not be merely sentimental.
I am open to all ideas, as even a suggestion that is not itself quite right might lead to something that is. Thank you, friends.
The retiree in question is an absolute flamer and sweetheart of a gay man is retiring from work as a librarian; he is the widow of a man who worked in fashion in Manhattan, and still lives there with his two small dogs. The poem in question may reference aging in a positive way; might be an ode to gayness; could reference dogs; can certainly include humor; may be a bit bawdy; could be spiritual or religious but not in a heavy-handed Christian way; should not be merely sentimental.
I am open to all ideas, as even a suggestion that is not itself quite right might lead to something that is. Thank you, friends.
Gotta be something in Frank O’Hara for sure!
posted by Toecutter at 2:51 PM on October 9, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Toecutter at 2:51 PM on October 9, 2020 [2 favorites]
Maybe “Having a coke with you...” By O’Hara
posted by Toecutter at 3:03 PM on October 9, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by Toecutter at 3:03 PM on October 9, 2020 [4 favorites]
I might look into Mary Oliver's work.
posted by wintersweet at 3:10 PM on October 9, 2020
posted by wintersweet at 3:10 PM on October 9, 2020
What kind of librarian is he or what kind of work is he retiring from?
posted by calgirl at 3:12 PM on October 9, 2020
posted by calgirl at 3:12 PM on October 9, 2020
Are you looking for an existing poem, or can I write something?
I'm sorry that you're going away,
It's even worse because you're gay,
Some people also leave who're straight,
I'll miss you first, they'll have to wait.
posted by AugustusCrunch at 11:48 PM on October 9, 2020 [2 favorites]
I'm sorry that you're going away,
It's even worse because you're gay,
Some people also leave who're straight,
I'll miss you first, they'll have to wait.
posted by AugustusCrunch at 11:48 PM on October 9, 2020 [2 favorites]
Mutatis mutandis, this is my favorite poem about aging. To wit:
...I shall wear purpleposted by jquinby at 6:47 AM on October 10, 2020 [2 favorites]
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
W. H. Auden, Doggerel by a Senior Citizen
Ode to the Medieval Poets might be a good one for reading-- addresses the Medieval poets familiarly and happily as "you"
I'll keep looking for more Auden poems. I'm convinced he has what you need. "Voltaire at Ferney" was almost it, but one verse was too heterosexual.
posted by Pallas Athena at 5:31 PM on October 10, 2020
Ode to the Medieval Poets might be a good one for reading-- addresses the Medieval poets familiarly and happily as "you"
I'll keep looking for more Auden poems. I'm convinced he has what you need. "Voltaire at Ferney" was almost it, but one verse was too heterosexual.
posted by Pallas Athena at 5:31 PM on October 10, 2020
« Older Real Estate/estranged family - how concerned... | Should I travel to Berlin this weekend? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mezzanayne at 2:46 PM on October 9, 2020 [1 favorite]