Full Of Himself

But perhaps there are points about which one never grows old. And it is no more agreeable at sixty-three to feel that a young woman no longer considers you a man than it is at sixteen to feel that she still considers you a child. –  Romain Gary

He had an ego problem.

Really wanted to be cremated
and have his ashes strewn
along the rocky coast.
But he worried.
He worried,
s'pose he did finish
The Great American Novel?
Those who would idolize him,
the sophomore girls
with the big eyes
who studied him 
at Vassar and Wellesley
would have no grave to visit.

No shrine at which to mourn.

Seemed quite the puzzlement.

So he puzzled.

He poured another drink.

8/27/82