don't blame me

don’t blame me —

But I did.  I rushed. I did. I screamed I ran I rushed

through the crowd until I clutched

my dry blessedly dry boy told to stay away

from boats he loves boats he loves the way they float

and how he can sit without sinking yes I ran

I did and he was warm and dry and crying and alive

            except his knuckles

            in his mouth

            each bone I saw later

            ringed a red halo

            his teeth made

            out of which he’d whispered

            a boy’s name I couldn’t tell

            who a boy he said some boy

            he pushed me

            he pushed me

            out of the way saying

                                    it’s my turn it’s my                                         turn it’s my turn