Jellybean Candycane

I miss Miss Blacksmeared and Technicolored

I miss little Wide-Eyed Thingnapper

I miss the Homoerotic Homes that made me panic

over spilled bottles down betraying throats

I miss the Whore On The Hill Town Legend that made me

proud and hateful

I miss Mister LoveYouForWhoYouUsedToBe

I miss not being torn

through not a goddamn piece

of meat raw on

a porcelain plate

I miss being tasted carefully

and gracefully but mostly

gratefully

I miss not being left out

over night to draw flies

not being picked over

or forgotten like last

week’s suppertime special

I miss the reputation

and the thrills

but mostly

the Respect