9
roger
was alive
but not kicking.
mementos of
his kicking days
were kept in a
small box
under his bed
next to his wife's
thighmaster.
as he
just lived each day
without kicking.
it wasn't bad
or good
just
sun
then
moon
tumbling
on and on
toward
eternity.
until 1 wednesday
he spilled coffee
(no cream. 2 sugars)
on his favorite
button-down shirt.
later that night
he walked the family
yorkshire terrier
came home
and
hanged himself
in his basement
next to a box of clothes
his son
had recently
outgrown.
0–17 coney island, brooklyn, new york.
17–26 vagabond through the midwest.
26–27 back to brooklyn.
27–32(now) d.c. area.
have been a chef, caregiver to my dad,
pro wrestler, warehouse worker, thief,
amatuer boxer, daddy.
