Photographer, filmmaker, writer, journalist and bon-vivant, Duane Michals, 91 years young, was in his hometown of McKeesport last Friday, where he read to a standing-room-only crowd his latest poem.
Michals said he was submitting it to “the Times” — presumably the one in New York, not in Beaver County — but since he emailed it out today, I’m guessing they didn’t publish it.
So, since no one has told me not to, I’ll republish it here:
MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS
A young woman must decide
whether or not to bring her fetus to term.
That’s her business, that’s not my business.
Two gay men who love each other
kiss in the privacy of their room.
That’s their business, that’s not your business.
If someone believes in
burning bushes that talk and virgin births,
that’s their business.
Why should they find my business their business?
MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS
—© Duane Michals