Childhood Circle

The Singing Boy

Angels might envy his boy's soprano.
His "White Coral Bells" enraptured
an audience of parents and teachers,
his "O, Holy Night" beguiled them
to set their hearts on sacred things.
At six he tore my homework in pieces.
At seven he punched my stomach.  At eight
he tried to drown me in the toilet.
At nine, he beat my head on the curb.
I fought back, then.  The teacher caught us,
and punished me.  She did not think
a demon child could sing like an angel.
At ten he moved, I hoped to Hell,
where he could never sing on key.

Next Poem:  "Teddy's Bath"

List of Poem Circles

Updated last on:  2001/05/23