Will Roby

BEDTIME

My father remembers his father
as a cripple. The man had

no legs, spent the day rattling
the kitchen tile

sneaking beers.
My father pushed a wheelchair

until the meat of his hand
bled. This is what I live with

now, as he mopes by the
television. Ella Fitzgerald

asks "Have you ever heard
two turtledoves?" I’ve heard

china crash on linoleum, sighs
in the night, a can crack and pour

foam before noon.
I've heard you crack your belt;

tell me to get on my knees.
I've heard the sun rise

on the roof.

Location:	Lubbock, Texas
Occupation:	Full-time student
Email:	willroby@poetic.com
Publications:	The Circle Mag, Karawane, GW Review, Melic Review, etc.
Awards:	2001 Poetry Super Highway annual contest, nominated for the 2001 Mary Roberts Rhinehart grant

- June 2002 - The Mothers upon waking Fandango de las Calaveras a letter to DeAndrea: flowers in your pocket I Mistook the Furs for Scratches Elegy south street seaport, nyc Spring Rain Bettas Western Wallflower Groundhog Day Bedtime Mail The process of eating Trout Fishing with Rommel's Last-known Foe - MJM's Favorite Six - Dear Anna Of This World The New Gynecologist Rice The Turquoise Dress Letter To Loan Officer