Night Clerk at the Hotel of Both Worlds

Bone

64 Bone At Dad’s graveside service, I looked around for my mother’s and sister s’ graves, not realizing that by our presence We covered them up. Somewhere, a two-year-old Is discovering the sexual fantasy That will rule her always; a man lets his friend Sell him a car with a cracked block. My ex thought every house should have one wall Given over to ivy. The phone began to ring And ring, announcing his lover’s voice, her words Framing his. My job was to train the ivy. I’m driving home   —   recognize the blue car— Out-of-state plates—in the next lane. Blue car man With blue eyes doesn’t know How I feel. “Watch me,” I want to say. “I’m leaving.” My dog’s good at playing dead, She keeps her one visible eye From shining too much. Then she jumps up, And I hand her the bone. ...