Poor Traits of a Family

Mickey McGuire

The onion colored skin potato flesh and the story of the couple and the stacks
of Playboys
An office held in dust suspension and the piano and sheet music I never knew he
cared about

and a wasp nest
and the Ford Ranchero and the Filet'o'Fish
and the wee Winkies that would
come out and cause mischief
and a bronzed brougham and loads of hard-rubber combs and
keychains
and the soft-boiled egg and Yuban coffee
and the breath at the end of the day
and the rough beard on the cheeks which rasped me
and the mysterious bottle
shaped like a monkey
and black and white pictures of Mac in a suit standing with a roomful of
other stiff suits

I can't reconcile a depressed, and angry about it, let alone sober Irishman who
had some youthful
dreams of Hollywood or a music career
the satin and braid are faded on the flag
but a rich gold thread coils around each letter
Someone paid to make this banner a lifetime ago.
"Ask Mickey McGuire to Sing Your Favorite Song!"