CONJURING A GHOST--THIRTY MINUTES TILL THE NEW YEAR

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I was flipping around
and landed on one of the Spanish channels
and suddenly thought of you
and wondered what you'd be doing
about now
and wondering how your life turned out
minus me

I didn't really know who you were
when you left that message
at the station
you wanted to meet me
that was how you operated
call and schedule an audience

I didn't know your songs
were on the radio
or that you would sing
your national anthem
in a world-wide broadcast 
the night Muhammad Ali fought 
that Puerto Rican kid 

 I came over to your place
( cuz took requests whenever possible)
and you made your grand entrance

I knew you were disappointed
cuz I didn't dress up
and acted disinterested
you drove me to the hotel
and I knew I had some balls
just asking you to do it

Your roommate became the intermediary after that
and she said well, you are who you are
and she likes to go to the fancy clubs
and she's wondering
would you really be comfortable with that?

The last time I saw you was at the beach
you came up and gave me a hug
and I went on
with my stinkin' life

You married one of your own
naturally
with little ones and that whole trip
and hell
don't know why
guess it's just that it's 30 minutes
till the new year
and those bikini waxed chicks are
shakin' and grinding their asses up on the screen
would Dick Clark approve? 
(oh well, he's dead)
I used to think that was something
but now it just grosses me out
we both came from a time and a place
when women had more class
and a lot more grace

I checked you out on YouTube
and yes you're still a beauty
though age begins to take its toll
and the glitter wears off
and so I'm wondering
did your fame bring you happiness
you know cuz
it all ends up in the same place
in the end
and maybe you're thinking it too
sitting here
30 minutes till the new year
recalling that old Peggy Lee song
Is That All There Is?