As/Is







2.19.2006


he says he notices

he says he notices his father does not read
him and his mother
chooses not to talk except
to discipline hypotheses improbable

so mornings are as cold as
evenings and achievements go
unnoticed unless he goes to work
where someone usually says something

an adult might say when anybody's child
reports earning a badge or prize
and there is room for praise in form
of backpats but his father

and his mother whisper instead about
small things things less than
an inch away from their own faces things
that will evaporate before they're true