T-SHIRTS

Hi Franz––
How are you?

Just got into Prague
and I’m talking to an answering machine
it’s the 21st century
wonder if your trial is still going on
at the old castle
your world famous schloss
just kidding––of course it’s going on
it will always go on
forever and ever amen
here’s what we know

you’re lucky you had
a true medical friend in Klopstock
that caring drug supplier
prince of the hypodermic
mercifully he put you out with morphine
as you demanded
it was 1924 and you were all of forty
what if TB hadn’t done you in
let’s bring you up to date

Hitler would have burned your bones
solved all your problems:
family, relationships, identity
there wouldn’t even be a trial
you would simply disappear
like your sisters
in a little cloud over Europe
but thanks to your best friend Max
who refused to burn your manuscripts
your face will always be
on T-shirts in Prague
BTW how’s the roach problem
still keeping you awake?