Kelle Groom
Dad Goes to Work
Through the sliding glass I see a mongoose in the hedge
American Pie on the stereo
army helmet bumps on my nose
shadows my eyes
machine gun slung over sunburn
rocks on my hip
I fling myself across the room
in a dervish dance on Sears carpet
again and again when he goes
When he goes
circuit rider on a gray battleship
I climb the dining room table stand
screaming arms raised
a bell calling him home
At night
I rattle God down
with my tribal songs perfecting prayers
a syllable missed could keep him at sea
Mornings I have hula lessons
in a scratchy grass skirt
I play war with the boys in bare feet
smash coconuts open in the street
The lagoon is warm I swim every day
In crowds I keep my arms in close
afraid of lepers and the swing
of an ulcerous arm against mine
In mirrors I see myself noseless eyeless
faceless a red trench
In giant trees
I climb high and tremble
Half a year later we drive to the dock
He gives me a television a typewriter from Japan
A geisha girl in a glass box
But it’s the smoky smell of his shirt that I want.