Outside Boston

by Richard King Perkins II

Erika Lowe

That Friday morning I claimed my derision

to be the texture  of forgiveness

within a forgotten apocalypse  of deepest bass drums.

We shared an oatmeal cookie as I let you rest your head

in the cleft between my shoulder and chest

in a colder sun than either of us could remember.

Where your heel presses deepest marigolds retreat

into tenuous living greenery. I’ll take you with me

to the new old house  outside Boston

where there is one last child  within you

waiting to be fulfilled.

The smell of an ancient book

escapes from the mouth

of a papier-mâché doll

screaming apologies

for all the venial things 

that will forever remain undone.

*

Richard King Perkins II is a state-sponsored advocate for residents in long-term care facilities. He lives in Crystal Lake, Ill., with his wife, Vickie, and daughter, Sage. He is a three-time Pushcart, Best of the Net and Best of the Web nominee whose work has appeared in more than a thousand publications.