IF YOU GO TO THE CARNIVAL


If you go to the carnival, pin a dollar bill
on your father’s coat. His place is between
the calzones & the cannoles, candles flicker
at his feet, he is guarded by many old women.

When you pin a dollar bill to your father’s coat,
he will not guarantee your happiness,
but the howling of dogs cannot frighten you,
the crows no longer bear sad messages.

The dollar bills resemble green scales
because your father is really a fish
out of water, he is too dry to cry.
This is the secret everyone knows.

Your father is married only to the moon.
If you want to please him, draw very close
& whisper these words in his ear:
“Father, I have neither arms nor legs.”
 


© 2000 Bob Rixon