Monday, August 24, 2020

The Fag Duplicity


image from pinterest.com 


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:

brudberg said...

Ha... yes Ginsberg knew all about queers... Bet that he smoked as well

Sanaa Rizvi said...

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 ❤️

calmkate said...

a nice blend of all those meanings from that era ...
I never did bum fags but I bummed a lot of lifts ...

Gillena Cox said...

LOL luv the humour. Thanks for dropping by to read mine


(✿◠‿◠)
much love

De Jackson said...

LOVE that nod to Ginsberg's howl, especially! :)
I love the tongue in cheek in this. Funny how words change, over the years.

indybev said...


Wonderfully funny, Glenn. ( A refreshing break away from the bum in office)

Ron. said...

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

Truedessa said...

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.

Lucy said...

Hahaha! Such brilliant humor here and comparison of times. Excellent piece, Glenn. I always enjoy your writing style.

JIm Feeney said...

very funny and very clever Glenn!

robkistner said...

Killer piece Glenn. “Lucky strike, no strike back...!“

robkistner said...

...that is what my friends and I did when we’d step on a discarded Lucky Strike pack.

Dwight L. Roth said...

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.

JadeLi said...

I feel The Beat here, Glenn. Funny two such disparate things with the same nickname. The advertisement is a nice touch.

A Reading Writer said...

love the beat of this poem, Glenn!

Kim M. Russell said...

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!

Jane Dougherty said...

Another 'world we have lost'. Thank goodness probably.

Misky said...

Changing, changing, proof that it's a living language.