Frank William Finney | 3 Works

Recital

I started a line
when the Bee Gees burst in
and started singing
‘I Started a Joke’.

What could I do
but watch and listen
while totems appeared
in the microphone stands.

Surprised the traffic
didn’t stop
when we jaywalked
on clouds for the studio.

In the Next Hell,

even the demons
will finally ignore you.

You’ll get so bored
you’ll pray for pain.

And this time your prayers
will be answered.

All part of the matinée, my friend.
Life is a matinée.

That’s cabaret, my friend.
Life is a cabaret.

That’s sauvignon, my friend.
Life is a glass cherry, then.

When it shatters, you’re out
of wine. And luck, too, I suppose.

I suppose so.
And what about pain?

It will end when we die, then?
Yes, I suppose so.

You’re probably right, then.
Yes, you might be right.

But if there’s no afterlife,
there’d be no demons—

if pain ends when you die,
no need for prayers then, either:

I suppose so.
Are you hungry?

Loving the Alien: A Tribute

When the Starman
landed in Boston
that year,

fans came flecked
in makeup, paint,
& glitter.

But when
the chameleon
changed colours
live on stage:

He pranced and posed
In riding gear;
carrying a whip
his only prop.

The backup band
was Bowie’s band;

his set a mix
of urban soul &
numbers every fan
could count on.

And he was alright,
the band was altogether …
and he sang all night long.




“Loving the Alien” is the first track on David Bowie’s Tonight album (1984).
The last stanza levitates from one of the choruses in “Lady Stardust” from Bowie’s iconic album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.