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The Fag Duplicity
“You’re a faggot--case closed.”--Judge Judy.
When
I was young,
it seemed
like everybody
smoked.
Cigarettes
were called
fags.
Fags
were called
queers.
So
bumming a fag
in 1958 got you
a Lucky Strike,
not
RuPaul.
I never smoked,
but
Ginsberg
knew
the difference
I guess
while he was
howling.
Glenn Buttkus
Quadrille
Posted over at d'Verse Poet's Pub
18 comments:
Ha... yes Ginsberg knew all about queers... Bet that he smoked as well
This is gorgeously rendered! I love; "So bumming a fag in 1958 got you a Lucky Strike,not RuPaul," and am quite fond of Ginsberg's work myself ❤️
a nice blend of all those meanings from that era ...
I never did bum fags but I bummed a lot of lifts ...
LOL luv the humour. Thanks for dropping by to read mine
(✿◠‿◠)
much love
LOVE that nod to Ginsberg's howl, especially! :)
I love the tongue in cheek in this. Funny how words change, over the years.
Wonderfully funny, Glenn. ( A refreshing break away from the bum in office)
Very peppy & smile-inducing, Glenn. This former-smoker, absolutely gigantic Ginsberg acolyte truly enjoyed & appreciated his inclusion.
I thought you might enjoy this: https://eggsovertokyo.blogspot.com/2019/07/ginsbergs-omelet.html
It seems words take a twist with new meanings. I remember smoking as a teenager but, I quit soon as I disliked the smell. I am sure my lungs are grateful for that.
Hahaha! Such brilliant humor here and comparison of times. Excellent piece, Glenn. I always enjoy your writing style.
very funny and very clever Glenn!
Killer piece Glenn. “Lucky strike, no strike back...!“
...that is what my friends and I did when we’d step on a discarded Lucky Strike pack.
I remember those days... only my neighbor smoked unfiltered Camels! Don't think he made it to 65! Seems it is not just the president who lies. Commercials tell a twisted tale as well!
Love the humor in your poem Glenn.
I feel The Beat here, Glenn. Funny two such disparate things with the same nickname. The advertisement is a nice touch.
love the beat of this poem, Glenn!
Your title reminded me of the time, many years ago when I still smoked, I offered an American acquaintance a fag and got a strange response. Apparently only the British called them fags, but, from your poem, it was also well-known in the States. I love the vintage Lucky Strike poster from the days when they were designed to encourage people to smoke. I enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek tone, Glenn!
Another 'world we have lost'. Thank goodness probably.
Changing, changing, proof that it's a living language.
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