a buzzsaw
running here to there
his zigzag words
ripping people to shreds
his fever unquenchable
Free Verse
Undertow
on Mother’s
Day
the men go rafting
children running wild
bouquets of guilt
blushing on the tables
wife to wife the calls
plans for a childless
gathering at a seaside spa
come Father’s Day
Checkmate
first-grade
teacher
labels him retarded
refers him for evaluation
he almost aces
the picture test
his eyes beaming
an intelligent boy
I declare
she pokes her finger at me
if he cannot read
he’s retarded
exclamation point
period
A Firm
Hand
when the
father
rises from his chair
red-faced
wife and children cower
when a stranger appears
at the open door
he laughs heartily
just a little fear to keep
them in line
