always there, when-
ever Nancy came home from gallivanting with Sluggo
that sometime visitor from the other side of the tracks,
sitting vigilant, reading the paper
in smiling deference to Pascal's advice
to dodge unhappiness by sitting quietly in a small chair; what,
by lamplight was she reading, forever? The obits
the classifieds? maybe the funnies?
Anyhow Nancy, hush,
wash your ears, strap on your training bra, and
by the way, forget your allowance, you're grounded
till your homework's done, corrected to perfection,
or better, go to bed. TV,
that influential new medium, might as well be orbiting
the earth with Sputnik as far as your concerned.
The trouble started here,
and you, Fritzi, brilliant fake, meet another.
Out of those polka dots, now, and into some black. Live!
Get a baby sitter, gam lady, make yourself smart,
I'll pick you up at eight.
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