There Are Times I Feel Like John Turturro

I’ve spent many a night

with John Turturro

Well, to be fair,

he was using 

a different name

at the time,

Pino or Paulie

or Bernie Bernbaum

Pete Hogwallop

has bantered in 

my living room

on multiple occasions

And, sure, 

he isn’t always 

a great guy,

I wouldn’t leave 

Jesus Quintana 

unsupervised

with my children

Turturro can be tender,

but also gruff, 

even despicable

But each night

we’ve spent together,

no matter the 

pseudonym, 

is no less real than 

any other

And if I’m being honest,

maybe we aren’t 

that different,

he and I

I might not change

from Herbie Stemple

to Barton Fink

with the flick 

of a button,

but I do change

I’ve played roles,

without the camera rolling,

acted in ways 

to fit my surroundings,

to make a better 

first impression,

to maintain professionalism

before clocking out

for the day 

to relax at home 

and be myself,

maybe grab a DVD

and see who John

will be tonight

Written November 20, 2019