Henry’s Chicano Elegy For Gilligan

Nobody knew if he was screwing
Ginger or Mary Ann
but he was certainly

screwing up their chances to get rescued.
You’d think Gilligan was in charge
of the relief effort in New Orleans.

The Skipper slaps him with his Captain’s cap
but it has no visible effect on him.
Mary Ann’s butt hangs out of her shorts

and Gilligan stumbles on coconuts.
The Professor congers up
Neanderthal automobiles to rival the Flintstones.

In the end we all blunder, plunge asunder,
is that the lightning and thunder
that sank the Minnow

and fried Gilligan’s brains into refried beans
on this desert island?
Maybe he was screwing Mrs. Howell!