I haven’t tried to fit in for some time
I’ve been an outsider
and if you’ve spent enough time on the outside
you start to think that’s where you belong
being accepted is a strange phenomenon
probably because I haven’t tried for some time
People draw a circle around themselves
and they don’t let others in
they can be friendly, but family is another thing
the golf course in maple valley
speaks a special language
only their own can hear
it is a banter, a lingo, an acceptable turn of phrase
and those who don’t speak it
get shut out
and never know it
you see,
the same places are not the same
a place is one thing to me
and something else to somebody else
the dinosaurs on the golf course raised me
you have to be around them, day in, and day out
it is a rhythm
between lingering cigar smoke and power cart exhaust
where fossils come alive
I’m dressed in a $90 polo shirt and camo shorts
they can’t stop staring because it doesn’t make sense
“What do you do for a living? Are you a teacher…?”
“I’m a psychologist.”
judgements begin…
but I start to talk the talk
and they loosen up, a bit
“What novel are you reading?”
“Women.”
“Are you married?”
“No.”
“I bet you’ve gotten laid several times since college.”
I don’t answer… “Well, I became a doctor last week; that might help.”
“That’s right!”
“But I don’t advertise; maybe I should.”
we play the game, the only way, it should be played
feeling the air on our faces
listening to the geese eating the grass
busting balls between shots
“Hey, ride in my cart and I’ll take you to the next hole.”
“We thought you were some bleeding-heart liberal, but you’re okay.”
We talk politics and how the world is coming to an end.
“Ride in my cart?” the other guy asks. “You’ve got to read this book; it changed my life. Maybe you can write one about what’s been going on…”
“I think I’ll go to the mountains.”
They laugh and I birdie the last hole.
“It was great to play with you, Andy. We typically tee-off at 10:30. You’re welcome to join us, anytime.”
This one brought a smile. 🙂
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