1499Z

I knew a couple of good men.

I did.

Marie. I did.

Our mother wants to sign over

her retirement to me

- she’s worried

her only daughter

will blow the money on men

and Sold-on-TV curiosities.

Did I tell you

a summer in Charlotte

I pawned my favorite movies

and video games

just so I could buy another bottle?

- I hope you forgive me.

You came to that house

by the lake

when I was mixing painkillers

with tequila and I

yelled at you until

you wept by mom’s

engagement photos.

I was half conscious

when we watched television

early in the morning

- things in my coffee.

Somewhere

I found Robert’s anger.

Somewhere

I found Ken’s hope

dead in the ditch.

Somewhere

I found

Edna’s self righteousness

and built a shrine.

I hope you forgive me.

When you put your hat out

for alms and flowers

I spat in your face.

When I put my head in your lap

for salvation

you put a warm hand to my cheek.

I hope you forgive me.

Marie.

When I don’t answer your calls

because I’m slurring words

I hope you don’t forgive me.

Marie.

When we rode the same bus

and I couldn’t get my Ts

just right

you yelled at the sneering

boys with freckles

and farmers tans.

Somewhere

I found Peggy’s self pity.

-

I walk all over Texas

with our same blood our same name.

I’ll tell you about it

sometime.