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Summer School

by Leah Laiben



It tickles them, my father said
as he dealt a stunning blow
to the blue cat’s slick head
and began to slice the oily
skin around its gills while
the mouth still gasped for
breath and the tail curled
tightly to its side
cringing from the pain
trying to swim away
to evade my father
who wouldn't hurt a fly
but would peel skin
like duct tape from a roll
off the body a living thing.

04/04/2018

Posted on 04/04/2018
Copyright © 2024 Leah Laiben

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 04/08/18 at 04:46 PM

Great piece, deadly and calm, and oh, so instructive about how human's can rationalize their actions. Perfect title.

Posted by Michael Anthony on 04/09/18 at 12:48 AM

I attended that same school with my great uncle Bob as the teacher. Your description has brought back some great long forgotten memories with stunning clarity. Very nicely done!

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