Joelene

Papaw was fixing our old Tv.

It kept frying like meat on grill.

And speaking of meat, Eric was turning

the chicken legs

while he occasionally drank

from a bottle of beer.

And I lay spread on the couch,

one leg hung over the ridge,

the other hanging off the end.

Facing Eric’s back.

And when he looked back,

he swung me a smile.

It looked like a secret smile.

So I smiled back.

Then Mamaw looked around

just as he swung his face ahead again.

She stormed out the kitchen.

Slapped me on the knee.

And said: “sit properly!”

Then she pinched me on the arm,

it hurt like pepper,

and whispered in my ear:

“Close your legs, I’m seeing your whole morning.”

Morning means panties or crotch.

I sat up and fixed my dress,

fighting back anger

and annoyance.

Then the Tv finally came on.

Papaw was forcing Eric

to come watch the games with him.

Mamaw never liked that.

She frowned as Eric left.

Papaw sat at the end of the couch,

Eric sat next to me.

And as he passed by me,

he squeezed my knee.

And my body came alive.

Woah...