the first take

tonight i bathed with f scott
& all the paradise he's made
(in truth, it's fiction; so it's not a lot)

only one side, really, with a plot
and characters that too soon fade
tonight i bathed with f scott

sundays, it's too easy to be caught
alone all day in a bed unmade
(in truth, it's fiction, so it's not a lot

to twist and turn over another day's begot-
ten listless hours on parade)
tonight i bathed with f scott

washed with soap scented apricot
thought of all the others with whom i've strayed
(in truth, it's fiction, so it's not a lot)

monday will wake me with a shot
and ask me to account for a week so waylaid
...
well
...
tonight i bathed with f scott
in truth, it's fiction; so it's all i've got.