At last, Frank Ocean has given us his new album, along with a ton of imagery and a printed zine. No wonder it took him so long!
The zine itself is particularly intriguing, with a tone that varies from serious to “is he serious” when you get to Kanye West’s ode to McDonalds. But the best part is possibly Frank’s poem “Boyfriend,” where he writes touchingly about love. Awww. Here are some highlights:
“My boyfriend drives a lil bucket
When it rain it fills up with rain”
Okay, a bit literal so far, but maybe he’s saving the metaphors for later.
“my boyfriend he gon pick me up
don’t distract him at the wheel
in his lane
he’s the only one”
Oh or maybe we’re already into metaphor territory? Perhaps Frank is expressing his devotion to his boyfriend, and his defensiveness at anyone who might try to distract his attention?
Later:
“can’t join the band so sing along
me and my boyfriend got it going on
sleep with fans and t shirts on
asleep in vans your legs all strewn
across my lap
tan lines where your watch was strapped
you took off to make time”
Well now we’re talking, with some hot and heavy detail about Frank’s sleeping arrangements. Most of us are enduring a bit of a heat wave in the US right now, so the image of sleeping with fans blowing over two men in bed is perhaps a bit familiar. And the part about sleeping in their shoes (unless he means they rented a van to sleep in) is cute.
The best line in the poem, though, is the “you took off to make time” bit. Not only is he noticing his boyfriend’s body, which is hot, he’s noticing a mark that indicates his boyfriend’s devotion. Taking off his watch is like turning his back on the passage of time, freezing them in a moment together.
Here’s the full poem:
“my boyfriend drives a lil bucket
when it rain it fills up with rain
my boyfriend he gon pick me up
don’t distract him at the wheel
in his lane
he’s the only one
my boyfriend he misses me when i’m gone
so he don’t forget me
there’s a song he sings
calms his nerve, endings
my boyfriend is friendly
and we don’t want no problems
i could say that i’m happy
they let me and my boyfriend become married
i could say that i’m happy
but cross my heart i didn’t notice
hope to die no never, we voted
me and my boyfriend cast our ballot
every kiss reads like a poem
making wrongs right like a poem
i couldn’t say i dream of you
because my dreams are filled with no one
and all is lost
me and my boyfriend we found
we don’t hope for beyonds at all
me and my boyfriend spend time
and that’s all i’m holding on
this time
we got permission
nothing’s above condition
but this ain’t a thang
it’s a mission
can’t join the band so sing along
me and my boyfriend got it going on
sleep with fans and t shirts on
asleep in vans your legs all strewn
across my lap
tan lines where your watch was strapped
you took off to make time
cut your hair
you left it long
i love to stare
there’s nothing wrong
and if i die while i’m asleep
i pray to God my boyfriend
keeps my secret
peace.”
On another page, Kanye West writes of McDonalds:
“McDonalds man
McDonalds man
The French fries had a plan
The French fries had a plan
The salad bad and the ketchup made a band
Cus the French fries had a plan
The French fries had a plan.”
Well, they can’t all be the next Ginsberg.
