Mid-week Cable

Watching Live and Let Die
on some popcorn afternoon.
I tell you about Louisiana,
the forgetful American Way.
It’s all among Roger Moore,
speedboats over bridges, alligators
become crocodiles. Commercials,
and I think of Huey Long and
Jimmy Swaggart’s warm-up band.

We end up lying side by side. You’ve walked
me through the end of a schoolboy
fantasy. Tell me again about how Linda
never let Paul out of her sight.
Always in the same room.
Always watching the same TV.

—JOEL BAKER

(Originally published summer, 2004.)