THE BEST LOVERS

are a shade short
of brilliant,
deeply disturbed.
somewhat &
sometimes
unhinged,
swinging
like a handkerchief
in the wind.
They have creases
& scars despite
their age
are nutty & flakey
and twist your words
on themselves
& imprison you
gladly
& madly
beyond your meager
understanding.
They make
unscheduled stops
in your heart.
They move
on white lines
in black streets
the asphalt hot
& sticky from
their all day heat
inside your head.
What magic
they make.
Don't die
before finding one.
Go out now
make yourself
miserable.
You'll thank me
later.

Norman Savage
Greenwich Village, 2016