Jim Short

My heart sank the moment I met him.
He appeared in the doorway suddenly
Like a jack in the box. A tall, nice-looking guy
With a bicycle asking for the housemate
Who I had the terrible crush on. Luckily I found out he was her brother in time to stifle the urge to shove him off the porch.
Turned out he could carry on a reasonably intelligent conversation
About Kung Fu or Doc Savage. Claimed he cut the rug with
Janis Joplin and ate an opium sandwich in Katmandu.
Had a friend who cut the cheese
And another who was an extra in a biker flick.
Kept a pack of scruffy dogs.
Finally found connubial bliss watching Bollywood movies
and reading Hell-boy.
Lucky I didn’t shove him off the porch.