that laminated look

i haven't seen

my friend Jimmy in a few months

and then

he calls and wants

to go out

and have a drink somewhere,

maybe lunch.

i hardly recognize him

when he shows up.

his eyebrows are higher,

his wrinkles pulled

back behind his ears.

his lips seem fuller,

rounder.

even his nose looks different

somehow,

straighter, narrower.

there are no

bags under his eyes.

what the hell i say to him,

when he arrives.

still limping

because of his bad knees.

i smile but don't mention

any of the plastic

surgeries he's had, i just

shake his hand

and say

long time no see, 

so how are you Frankenstein?