It’s not the heat it’s the humiliation. I overheard someone on a cafe patio say “I’ve been prostate with the heat this summer.” I feel pretty sure he meant prostrate which means “overcome or helpless” as opposed to prostate which is a gland hidden safely up one’s ass. Though I do have to be prostrate to really enjoy the heat of that gland. But feeling that heat is not humiliating.
What is humbling about this summer’s relentless sun has been the need for sunblock. I’ve general wear 100 but some days I bump that to 110. I’m not going to get into any discussion about the effectiveness of sunblocks but trust me when I tell you I burn easily with anything less than that unless I carry a tube to constantly reapply – which is too much work – you know how many table napkins it takes to degrease one’s hands?
If you run into me & think I’m looking rather pale – it’s my sunblock not my natural pasty white skin tone. I’d rather look pale than deal with skin cancer. A proper coating is good for about 90 minutes in the sun before it starts to sweat off. The next level up will be clown white 🙂
I’ve also added a sunblock neck & ear cover which I adapted from a baby carriage net made of a uv rated sunblock fabric. I doubled it & then added yet another middle layer of handkerchief. I can take it on & off as needed. It fits under my hat & gives me a rather desert rat look, flowing over the ears neck & shoulders. When it catches in the wind feels like having long flowing hair. The next step up would be one of those bee-keepers hats with full around the head coverage but I suspect that would be too suffocating & even more ‘odd’ for street wear. Too ‘odd’ for me.
Motel Still Life (San Francisco)
the constant slur of traffic
on the overpass by the motel
hot sunny afternoon
dusty breeze seeping under the door
fried corn-bread tingles the air
the king size bed
hiding us naked on top of the covers
too hot for the heat of the moment
glancing at the mirror
wondering should the lights be out
was it too bright for either of us
strangers
touching for an hour or so
shower drip
music on the laptop blurs car slur
another twilight sprawled
alone on the same bed
arms and legs stretched
so skin can breath in the humid air
a scrape of suitcase wheels
along walk from room to room
doors open close sirens tvs
shouting get the fuck over here
you stupid asshole
the sound of night clawing to a close
half asleep from the
barrage blur of tourist delights
phone rings on his way over
he comes
I come he goes I sleep
on going 🙂 when new podcast are posted: Deliciously iTunes
September 1-4: attending FanExpo 2016 (I’ve already registered)
https://www.facebook.com/fanexpocanada/?fref=ts
October 6 – Thursday Toronto, 8 pm, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St.
http://www.queerslam.com/season-3-dates.html
November 1 – 30 Participating NaNoWriMo
December – Thursday Dec 1st – Toronto, 8 pm, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St.
http://www.queerslam.com/season-3-dates.html
April season 3 FINALS – Friday April 15th Buddies in Bad Times – early show – 7pm start
http://www.queerslam.com/season-3-dates.html
June 2-4: attending: Capturing Fire 2017 –
check out these poets from Capturing Fire 2015: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx5KD1eDccdjdTdQ28kZRNg
Hey! Now you can give me $$$ to defray blog fees & buy coffee in Washington – sweet,eh? paypal.me/TOpoet