Small Talk

—I hear there's a drought.
—I can live without that.
—Did you see Blow-Up?
—I found it quite old hat.
—What do you think
of the new morality?
—I think undergrads
should concentrate on their grades.
—You may be right.
—I could be wrong.
—What a sweet
thing to say.
—Compliments are never out of date
if they're sincere.
—About the new morality
I don't know much
but I love
the old sincerity:
Are you for real?
—I guess I'm kind of
out of date
but right from the start
I like to speak
from the heart.
At any rate
let me feel your nose:
A cold nose
means a warm heart.
My, your nose is hot.
—What's worse
I've got cold feet.
—Cold feet?
In those shoes?
What kind of foot powder
do you use?
—Dr. Scholl's.
—Well, that's the best.
Have you tried
lamb's-wool liners?
—I'm allergic
to wool.
—So that's your Achilles' heel.

James Schuyler