Fraternal

The cat twirls himself

Through Joe’s legs, but he doesn’t

Think, just pushes him away,

And pushes through the torn screen door

With a beer in his hand.

He’s met with a glare so he

Smirks and makes his eyes real thin so

They look closed, and he says,

Look, dad, I brought you a beer,

And grins a cheeky metal grin

And everyone thinks,

Oh, that boy.

Jake thinks if he closes his eyes

Maybe he can hide or disappear

From all those strangers

He’s known for years.

If he shuts the door and puts his hands

Over his ears

Maybe they won’t know he’s there.

Where’s Jake,

They say.

Oh, you know Jake.

But he can’t hear.

The cat scratches on the door but he can’t hear.