Two poems

 by Will Dancer

1.

My brother was a sword swallower 

He would swallow swords for hours

For a few dollars

And he would come home

And he would always say

“Today was a good day” 

And once

He tried to teach me

And I failed 

Completely

He claimed I brought shame 

To the sword swallower name

He would never regard me the same

I heard him say

“Today was a bad day”

For the mistake I made

Laid my grave

The sword slipped

And that was it

2.

My dad taught me to drive when I was nine

Taught me to sneak a drink inside 

And joyride 

We would sit in the park after dark

To play “I-Spy the homeless guy” 

I learned to guilt-trip passersby 

Outside Five Guys 

I would fake cry until my eyes were dry 

We would divide their French fries

Unfortunately

I don’t believe 

He took pride in me 

Or indeed sought a need

To keep company 

It’s likely he despised me despite the degree in which he was probably pleased with my delinquency 

Clearly, these memories remain hazy 

But it appears crazy that one would 

Spend their time

Toying the mind

Of a kid 

The way he did