Poem of the Day
Study of Children
By Asha Futterman
did you know
that you all work for me?
I asked them as a joke
did you know
that you all work for me?
I asked them as a joke
You’re the only creature I really love
Aside from Mama and my Teddy bear
Perhaps today I understand the saying
“We’re all miserable sinners.”
The landlady’s wearing her OLD WOMAN costume—
Shirakawa head-rag, blue droopy bloomers.
White balloon-sleeve apron top.
Top of the fountain jet
White diamond liquid sun fire
The Baby commits evil deeds unseen.
We all went to the Zoo.
That’s one thing done.
Why do I fear the true winter death to come
I guess I’ve lived without seasons much too long
Dear Cleo, I can’t complain about your absence
Nor excuse my failure to call you sooner
I mistook you for your sister and
So I’ll speak ill of the dead. A was crooked,
planting the small left finger of the raccoon in the upholstery
before he sold the car. B made certain to point out Celia’s
Damn it Graw you’ve got the sponge
on the wrong side of the ketchup bottle.
Have not shithead. And thus we drift
Gentlest hull of bond, tendons that bear
to work a gait, sentiment that brought you here:
at the window in the dark, speaking tongues