A Visit From Diotima Lv Poem by Morgan Michaels

A Visit From Diotima Lv



D God, what a mess! Everything's soaked!
MM Diotima, this was predictable.
D I'm so sorry. But, if you hadn't said those awful things. Hey,
I'm REALLY sorry.
MM Well, it's a little late for that.
D Where do you think all the water went?
MM Downhill.
D You mean....
(they look down)
MM Never mind. I'll call the insurance company when it gets light.
D Good thing Louise lives upstairs.
MM You can say that, again.
D Good thing Louise lives up-
MM Diotima! Did you have to wear those heels?
D They go with my outfit.
MM What outfit. You're barely wearing anything!
D It's hot. I dress for the weather.
MM On that premise, you should just go naked.
D So, what's YOUR excuse?
MM (realizes he is naked as Adam)
Oh, my God! Diotima, hand me that robe.

D (laughs) Relax. It's only me. This one, you mean?
MM Yes, that one.
(he puts on the robe. The downstairs neighbors pound at the door)
N Michaels, what's the deal? It's raining in our bedroom.
Open the door.
MM Sorry. I can't: company. Our water broke.
N Oh. Why didn't you say so. Should I call an ambulance?
MM I mean the bed's. The waterbed broke.
N What? Are you alright? Everything in our apartment's soaked.
This is not cool.
MM Sorry. I'll explain everything later. After I call insurance. Don't
worry. Everything will be ok.
N It better be. The walls down there are sweating big time.
MM Look, everything will be ok. Just go away.
N Whatever. See you tomorrow. I mean, later!
(he leaves)
MM Thanks alot, Diotima. All because of a dumb love-song.
D Don't be insensitive. Why are you so angry?
MM No particular reason.
D Well, I have to go now. Hong Kong. I'm sponsoring a young
poet, there, named Uli.
MM Is he any good?
D Um, you probably wouldn't like his work. It's very political.
MM Diotima...
D What?
MM Would you lock the door on your way out?
D Sure.

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
They sit on the flattened bed, water all over the floor. There is an aquarium against the wall, in which fish swim merrily back and forth. Diotima reaches under her lapel and withdraws a starfish, which she tosses on the floor.
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