—SAVE SOME FACE, YOU’VE ONLY GOT ONE

 

Sleeping Scarecrows

 

I was there or the ghost of me was two frail scarecrows sleeping in a crib but now I wonder about the early years what they dreamt how their nights unfolded when not knocking down walls or each other was their courtship long was there honest love between them the kind that would make a boy like me was there betrayal were there flowers boxed chocolates giddy laughter and slow-dancing in the trailer before the tornados hit did my father’s hair tonic always glisten did he stumble with his diction was mother’s dripping with distain did the neighbors notice where was the dog from the photos where were my brothers were my father’s hands larger than mine are now and did they hesitate at all before clutching one last time