Hotel Wentley Poems

Michael McClure, Philip Lamantia,
John Wieners, David Meltzer
San Francisco 1958

Hotel Wentley Poems
—for John Wieners
__________________

A poem for hustlers

“I shall be placed
on probation”
—John Wieners,
“A poem for vipers,”
Hotel Wentley Poems

Old age—
Bereft of any
Nobility

Behind the—
State Capitol
I cruise youth

Mean hustlers—
Hang out and
Beat me up

What’s an—
Old queen like
Me to do?

Wilde beestes—
No place for a
Lady like me

Spluged by—
Ugly smegma
Scented boyz

The sun—
Never rises now
Where I go

Blood-shot—
Eyes, young vipers
Who know

My face—
Has gone stale
Already dead

Looking away—
More than
Cruising anymore

What would—
The Kingfish say
About me now?