Poem for Alan

I wouldn't be surprised
Alan
If you turned up
All mentor like
In my academic dreams

Smoking
Faulkner in tow

Like Babel
Riding in Poland
All furious youth
And the short story you shared with us

About Auschwitz
Where I left other surrogate fathers behind

I remember you disapproved of my short hair
When years after graduating
Douglas and I hand in hand
Paid our respects

Also the time when we saw you at artsy cinema
With lanky girl date
You blushed
Behind that wide mouth

And then even stranger
In Washington Square Hotel basement
I was pregnant and proud
"What are you doing here!"

You said
Same as always

Did you know,
Then,
That you made me much of what I am
And that Melville still resides in Medford?

One day my aspirations will be wrapped up
The ribbon
A strand of writing
imprinted with the words

LONG MAY HE REIGN!

And love, your devotee
Caroline