UNREAL 1957

A GIRL AND HER ANXIOUSNESS OVER HER FATHER'S CHANGE OF WAYS IN 1957

Once she's dressed
Enid stands
in her room

her father
in the room
just next door

laughs softly
her mother
giggles soft

not weeping
or slap sounds
or father

bellowing
just laughter
and giggling

Enid opens
up her door
and they're there

at the large
wood table
sitting close

are you out?
Father says
eyeing her

if I may
Enid says
with Benny?

Father says
Enid nods
if I can

her mother
stares at her
(no black eyes

or bruised lips
no redness
on her cheek)

Enid feels
anxious now
will he slap

or whack her
as he had
a while back?

must be good
no mischief
Father says

and he smiles
his huge hands
that once hit

or slapped her
just wave her
on her way

not late though
Mother says
so unreal

Enid thinks
this kindness
this calmness

not be late
or naughty
Enid says

she goes out
anxiously
once before

he would grab
and hit her
bruise an eye

spank her hard
as she leaves
the front door

there's laughter
and giggling
and new sounds

of kissing
she goes out
in the Square

to see if
she's lucky
Benny's there.