for John Cassavetes

Tippi Hedren would be more nonplussed than me,

or you—I can’t remember who is who—but she’s playing herself,

hosting Dinner and a Movie…The Birds on cable, see?

It’s the first time she’s worked in ages—who’d blame her?

                                                                                            A chance

like Hitchcock afforded

only comes along once, sometimes,

and who needs more than that to ruin a career?

Not established like Stewart, or typecast like Perkins or Leigh,

she can still be counted on for earnest.

                                                            But sincere is no kind of disguise;

it’s hard to know who’s on the level in this biz.

You need to understand:

everything that’s in our frame

isn’t all we’re here for.

                                    A blood disease,

has to do with sugar,