For the Punk Rock Boys


The stars engraved your names indelibly
as ink under my skin, you valley boys:
Jon and John and Richard, Paul and Steve.

How often fifty fingers tried to free
my half-formed breasts on nights you boys,
like stars, engraved your names indelibly

with knives into the bark of a pine tree
or a park bench. The parks filled with your noise.
Jon and John and Richard, Paul and Steve,

how strange you were, above me­ – strange like thieves
one frightens in a heist. You were just boys
with stars engraved, like names, indelibly

along your boyish veins. You stood out green
under your flesh. You tasted like a choice.
Jon and John and Richard, Paul and Steve,

you wore your anger as you wore your need,
as politic or fashion, such scant joy –  
and yet, the stars inscribed your names. Indelibly,
Jon and John and Richard, Paul and Steve.