my mother called today
and I answered with
a brave voice
she prefaced her intention
with a word of caution
and I assured her
now was as good a time
as any
in the end
it was a nonevent
[seriously mother I can
buy my own drugs]
and by the time
we had mutually hung up on
one another
I assumed my father
was still alive
february two thousand twenty-three
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
spelling bee contestant
standing tall and composed in her
new very high heels
submits question after question in
search of meaning
behind unfamiliar words
parents proud and smiling
stream current reality using
digital recording devices
concealed inside mere palms
light years beyond her peers
she recites in haltingly fashion
every single letter perfectly
knees buckling together
trying not to pee as the
whole world stands and applauds
april two thousand fourteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
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