the duke of kublai khan

[constantine]

remember me
i was the duke of earl
and the earl of sandwich
a wunderkind - a zeitgeist!
i was les brown's band of renown
a kublai khan of sorts, but better
thinner, and more dapper
dapper dino the bon vivant
that's what they used to call me
back in the old neighborhood
with the tree that grew from brooklyn
and the goofy kid with the bulgy eyes
i remember mama, papa too
wholesome, decent, post-european peasantry
that came to this country in hordes
god-fearing, hard-working hordes
that obeyed the sabbath, the tariff, the tithe
insurance payments, and the like
they cobbled an existence
much to their own wonder and consternation
with nary a thought of the consequences
we wouldn't have it any other way!
they said, stupidly, while being evicted
makes me proud of my humble background
as i gird my loins so as not to get arrested

[the mingo]

man i love this salt of the earth gird the loins stuff. it's apostolic!
thx Dino.

[dadio]

fine capture and theme.

[saw]

it's amazing to look back at the last century, our grandparents, our parents, the paths they forged in relationship to our own.....my rebellious nature wanted no part of their lifestyles at the time, and now of course I appreciate their hard work, how they just wanted something better for their kids, were willing to toe the line, dig in, follow the emerging script, blend into the melting pot of dreams....

I like how the poem evolves from the personal, cocksure boy, to the present day..