Semblances

Authority of roses protects us from Our rural selves: we take off overalls And denim shirts to admire the rose bushes.

On Sunday afternoons we put on a dark blue tie, Gray trousers, to greet guests beside the blossoms. Ladies delight at the "Talisman" And we delight ourselves at playing gentlemen. A drink in hand, proper words in our mouths We convince ourselves of our meaning.

All this is important, even though Night may find us brutal, Throwing shoes at a bathroom wall, Cursing through the door At a wife in bed and crying.