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

at

18 comments:

  1. brudbergAugust 24, 2020 at 1:09 PM

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

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  2. Sanaa RizviAugust 24, 2020 at 1:13 PM

    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 ❤️

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  3. calmkateAugust 24, 2020 at 1:14 PM

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

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  4. Gillena CoxAugust 24, 2020 at 1:33 PM

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


    (✿◠‿◠)
    much love

    ReplyDelete
  5. De JacksonAugust 24, 2020 at 1:38 PM

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

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  6. indybevAugust 24, 2020 at 3:45 PM


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

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  7. Ron.August 24, 2020 at 3:57 PM

    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

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  8. TruedessaAugust 24, 2020 at 4:05 PM

    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.

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  9. LucyAugust 24, 2020 at 5:57 PM

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

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  10. JIm FeeneyAugust 24, 2020 at 6:06 PM

    very funny and very clever Glenn!

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  11. robkistnerAugust 24, 2020 at 6:15 PM

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

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  12. robkistnerAugust 24, 2020 at 6:17 PM

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

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  13. Dwight L. RothAugust 24, 2020 at 7:19 PM

    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.

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  14. JadeLiAugust 24, 2020 at 8:11 PM

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

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  15. A Reading WriterAugust 24, 2020 at 10:31 PM

    love the beat of this poem, Glenn!

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  16. Kim M. RussellAugust 25, 2020 at 12:06 AM

    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!

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  17. Jane DoughertyAugust 25, 2020 at 5:46 AM

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

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  18. MiskyAugust 25, 2020 at 7:03 AM

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

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