JAN O. HANSEN
The Ex

 
Nearly sixty she is, but still
beautiful and ambitious, newly
been promoted to private secretary
at the finance director's office.
  
Invited her for lunch, we went to 
a place where she didn't risk 
meeting colleagues after all she
had her position to think of.
  
The lunch was, for her, a success,
she spoke endlessly about herself,
her work and plans for the future 
of which I was no longer a part.
  
I listened, as usual, nodding my head,
from time to time, while dreamily 
thinking how nice it would be to have 
her back in my bed again.
  
Escorted her a part of the way to 
her office, we kissed briefly and I 
watched her disappear out of my life, 
still beautiful and ambitious.

JAN O HANSEN
A Town In Italy

 
When I awoke in the bar it was
empty save for the barman who
was polishing glasses. 
Any chance for a beer? It's 
closing time, you can have
a bottle but no glass though
just washed them all.
 
Outside the morning air had
an aroma of spring, Danish pastry
and cut flowers. In the town's
square fountain, water came out
of petrified dolphins' mouths and 
I took a shower watched by a patrolman
and an old whore who had seen
it all before.
 
Later in the café the officer looked
up and said good morning.
The old tart gave me a grandmotherly 
smile, since I wasn't a costumer she
could relax and enjoy the morning.