UNCLE JOHN'S BEDROOM

Small, dark, square, the ceiling slanted, room

For a bed, a chest of drawers, a locked closet,

On the bed a brown-velvet patchwork stitched by grandma,

On the chest grandma's red and green cloisonné

Penny-jar full of Indian-heads -- 1896

To 1913 -- I used to steal the extras of.

I used to steal, into Uncle John's room,

To be Uncle John, an accountant, 30 years at home,

So stuffed he would crap out on his bed

After Sunday dinner, tired from rolling

Bowling balls late into the week-end nights:

Kingpin, a spare, clattering in the alley.