For Lack of Decent Suggestions

For Lack Of Decent Suggestions
He will keep his soiled, only tie in his closet
until you insist that he put on.
I dumped mine and bought new ones, you say;
It was the tasteful thing to do.
By his smile, we see
you fail to notice how you forever suggest
that he should forever do the same.

For Lack of Decent Suggestions

Bob Komives

On his blue-striped shirt
a speck that does not come out in the wash.
Should he toss away the shirt?
Save it as a paint shirt, you say.
But his closet is full with paint shirts
that he does not often use,
and, except for the speck,
this shirt is perfect for the show.

On his black-leather shoe
a scuff that does not polish away.
Should he toss away two shoes?
Save them for the garden, you say.
But his porch is cluttered with garden shoes
that we know to be better suited,
and, except for the scuff,
this pair is perfect for the show.

So, for lack of decent suggestions:
he will wear the shirt;
he will parade the scuff.
By your frown, we see
you fail to notice how he never suggests
that you should ever do the same.

On his only tie
gravy that does not dry-clean away.
Should he toss away the tie?
Dump it and buy five new ones, you say.
But his neck chokes under a tie
that has no sane use that he can see,
and, except for its gravy,
any tie is perfectly tasteless.

Bob Komives :: Fort Collins © 1996 :: For Lack of Decent Suggestions :: ,9619