I spy…

a poem by Jan Oskar Hansen

The dream is to be a spy,
play a double role,
I’m used to that.
Always watch the summary of sport news on the TV,
only so I can go to the barber without feeling inferior.
I’m a dramatic actor too
the way I enthuse about sport stars
I have just learned the name of.

The dream is to be an industrial spy;
steal the plan of a new type of shoe from a big manufacturer
and give the plan to the struggling shoemaker in the next valley
for exchange of a pair of high heeled cowboy boots.
Always liked high heels used to walk around in mother’s
until my feet got too big.

Iron heeled boots are fine too
for when I feel soldierly
and dream of being a battle scarred general,
not as often as before
though have lost my fascination with hostile toys.
Footwear is my downfall
when I spray-painted my shoes yellow,
green and red my girlfriend left me,
said I was a queer! A spy I’m.