Page 12 - Contrast1985v27

To Uncle Butch

Turtles, the fir$f present you gave, larrv and Mo;
named after your favorite TV show _
sil~, your parents cha$fised, for an uncle of 27
to be living in childhood, poor behavior repeated.

As sil~ as you chasing me through the house,
throwing me to the ceiling when you caught ,me;
a rag doll Aopping as I landed.'

That day you came home to make' oyners with a girl
no one had seen before, how they $farted,
pondering your reckleu ways, unchanged by the Navy or jail.

Throwing shells into the pot, metal clinks marked each arrival _
you threatened to force this cold slipperv unknown into my mouth,

choking me to fright, unaware of your adventure, high up where no one
could reach you •.• then you left

leaving us to hear that someone finally did reach you,
on the Aoor in the park bathroom _
enough medicine to open Q pharmacy $freaking through your veins.
(I always thought it was the oy$fers; I haven't eaten them since).

My fir$f reaction - relief; no more fearful tosses from unsure hands.
The next day you made Daily News centerfold,

lying on a cold doctor's slab you couldn't feel.
At your age, $fill shocking those around you,

shocks me now.

Bizlbeth uik

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