how many times
has she seen him
whittle the child
down to size
it never harmed me
the father says
using the knife to cut out
the curious knot in the wood
slit the vein of red pare back
pale new growth
shaves his hair to the scalp
the child sticks out
his chin grits his teeth
keeps the pirate costume
on all the time
sword at the ready
at night he sucks his thumb
cries out
Annette Mullumby (Western Australia)
An independent poetry journal. Watch your step.
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