In Ink Please

Too Hot There Anyhow

In Ink Please


California,
you sent me just what I thought needed
straight from the orange groves, soft and sweet.
Brought to me by jetplane,
something I was certainly not expecting;
straight up the west coast, all blue and green from the air.
And I was thanking you as I
paced 'round the vestibule with that gold star on my mind.
California,
you would not believe the week I'm having,
handling your merchandise,

but I'll send it back like you've asked
even though I'm not quite through.
You and I have had our differences
in the past, but, California, can we call a temporary truce?
So I can see some palm trees and
walk the piers
and get myself south enough of here
to feel some sunshine for the first time in a long time

It would be a lie if I said that I did not enjoy
the preview you sent up to me of your winter line.
But in the future, please don't bother
with samples or mailings or product descriptions
of things you know I want, but you never have on hand.
And I don't understand;
I keep calling, placing my order.
I would pay for what I want
over and over and over and over and over
But I don't need undoing,
reconstruction or improving
and, California, I have got my pride.