For Nicole Tong
Sometimes I think I said everything I had to say by twenty-six.
At the reform school, I could take any adult one-on-one at fifteen.
When it took several of them to take me to solitary they said
That was what needed to happen for forgiveness. They wanted me
That was what needed to happen for forgiveness. They wanted me
To confess, but I never knew for what. A curse is also sacred, right,
John? Stable-keeper’s kids know broken then healed, but healed
John? Stable-keeper’s kids know broken then healed, but healed
With limits to how much anything can be set right. You Keats boys
Had the mind of feral dreams never bullied into errands for hoodlums.
Had the mind of feral dreams never bullied into errands for hoodlums.
