Le Maillot d'Honneur

They wear the long pantaloons now,

down past the knee,

like

sailors afraid of the sea.

But me — I wear the Speedo.

Navy blue.

Nineteen

eighty-two.

The body changes, oui.

The Speedo does not.

The Speedo remembers.

The Speedo forgets nothing.

My wife says Henri,

please, there are children.

The children should learn!

This is what confidence looks like after four heart procedures and a

war with cholesterol.

I did not survive all that to swim in trousers.

The body changes, oui.

The Speedo does not.

When I go,

bury me in it.

Closed casket, if you must.

But I will know.