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The Missouri Review 27.1 (2004) 96



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The Three Temptations of My Father

In the three temptations of my father I am confused. Is my
father different than the Father? Of course, must be. But who
then is the son—me, or Jesus? And why is the father being
tested instead of me?
When they speak, I know. "Remember 1956?" the devil asks.
"When your children were still children, your wife prettier
than June Christy, and you could high jump six feet?" "Yes,
of course." "You can have that year back. Forever."
My father looks out across the Long Island Sound, blue-green
sea and the white sails tacking. "Can I smoke and drink again?"
my father asks. "Absolutely," whispers the devil. "Forever."
In the long pause that follows I lean against the chair I hide
behind and it squeaks and the devil whirls. My father says,
"Sorry, not interested," and begins to walk rapidly in my direction.
"Wait, I have two more offers!" the devil says but my father
doesn't answer and when he gets to the squeaky chair I leap
out and he scoops me up and slips me in his jacket pocket
next to his fountain pen.
I hear the ding as the elevator doors open and close, and the
devil's pleas fading above us. Dark, dark as I pull myself up
on the satin border of the pocket, inhaling the not unpleasant
mix of cigars and ink.
Jeffrey Skinner's other recent prose poems have appeared or are forthcoming in American Poetry Review, Iowa Review, Boulevard and Slate Magazine. His latest play, Make Someone Happy, was a finalist in the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Conference.


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