for Sharon


I know I said I loved
Helena Bonham Carter,
but since I’ve met you, Sharon,
I’ve gone off her.

It’s true I said I hated
that shameless whore Madonna,
but since you said you like her,
I’ve gone on her.

Your pin-up boy
is love’s hegemonist:
Darcy dripping
pride and prejudice.

The wounded voice
of Bobby Dylan
you called a cow
in need of killing.

Twice forever.
Two divorces.
One’s much safer betting
on horses.

Love’s a menace.
Love’s a yoke.
Love’s an egg
in tennis.

Let’s break it gently
to our frail mothers first.
Then I’ll call Helena,
you Colin Firth.


• This poem comes from Gary Kissick’s new collection Another Kissing Couple Has Exploded which was published by Gatehouse Press (see link in sidebar) last month.