|
|
We were
lying on the carpet
near where the dog pissed yesterday.
I made my brother take that side.
He wiggled and Mama whacked him.
Listening to the radio --
Mama said it was "Historic"
and "He's a Great Man"
with capitals in her voice
like most folks use for Jesus.
Listening to the radio --
Trying to pick words from the static
"What'd he say, mama?"
"Shhhh. This is History."
And the static got loud
like a microphone rubbed on pavement
and a man screamed at us through the radio
"My God! My God! Get the gun! Get the gun!
mygod. . . mygod. . . mygod. . . someone stop him. . .
get the gun. . ."
and Mama grabbed us
and cried
and rocked back and forth
and held us between her squishy tits
and through the sweat in Mama's dress
I could still smell the piss in the carpet.
1988, Dana Leilehua Yuen
1989, Bamboo Ridge #41
|
|
|