The First step:
To curing your loneliness –––– is admitting
your loneliness
then / waiting a very long time
like five years
you’re probably
still lonely,
now admit your loneliness again: really
own up to it this time: confess
to your loneliness
right to its face
The Second Step:
to curing your loneliness
is to embrace
your loneliness
this too can take either forever or quite a while
like three more years probably
within that time you’ll find someone to love
who loves you back
and makes you less lonely
but later more lonely
than you’ve ever imagined
when they leave
you can’t cure your loneliness
this way - it’s not one of the steps
go back to step one to curing your loneliness
it won’t take as long
this time - admit and begin step two
bear hug your loneliness again
all that loneliness completely yours
no one can take it away from you
let them try
to call you up
Sunday night
for dinner
NO
tell them firmly
I’m spending quality time
with my loneliness
you mustn’t intrude hang up the phone
gently but triumphantly
You’re ready for step three
to curing your loneliness: Go back to step one
you must again
admit
damn
I’m still lonely
now step two: I’m falling madly in love
with my loneliness
the phone will ring again
and if you’re twenty-six
and in New York
without girlfriend
writing poems to cure your
loneliness and she’s calling answer it
run to her laugh with her kiss her completely
then go back to step one
if you want to cure your loneliness
-- Isaac Myers
