In Memory Of Karen Boyle:...

July, 1981

during a visit
with my father and his new girlfriend,
father found himself in a dilemma.
It seemed the trailer we were staying in
had room for only two.

To ad insult to injury
his girlfriend had dragged along her sister
for summer vacation.
She was from Scotland and felt contempt
for everything American
except
me.

Well dad, with his Yankee ingenuity
came up with a "brilliant" idea.

"Seems I have this old army tent from the
Korean Conflict.
You two could stay in that.
Run an extension cord, lay out some sleeping bags.
Good as home."

"brilliant"

I forgot the point when I stopped keeping score.
Lets just say
I learned more in that tent
than I ever did at University.

When I returned home
My friends would ask.
What was it like?
Is it like they say?

I told them the truth
as any true friend would...

It's like heaven and everything beautiful,
and tastes like chow mein
without the noodles,
and just like chinese food
you can eat
and eat
and still be
hungry an hour later.