Robert M Francis
Lessons
Dragged to dance lessons
where pre-pubescent flesh stuffed
into the fetish of tight black leotards
made organs quiver: headcheese raw
on the tracks. In the children’s library
he was sent to distract himself –
transfixed – an illustrated book about Elvis –
made organs quiver.
This stalked scout camps,
changing rooms and schools.
Before breathless kisses
Delicately flicking her cigarette away,
Are you ready? She’d say.
This hiccup has pared my hide:
Sunset catechism stretched in ripples –
A greenhouse child laying pebbles
on a stagnant pool. Strange influence stricken,
but shared.
As one thing ceases
and others emerge.
I took one last toke and kissed her.
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