Vis-à-Vish.

Choop!

In the plosive
choop
-before-karatoom
poppa said
silence!
no more
he-said-she-said
no more
it’s-not-fair;
forced calm of
a putting green-
soft breeze
held breath;
choop!

the rough navigated
forgotten secrets
photographs
disappear,
those lice races
that cross country escape
soiled silk underwear
relegated
flag placed
where one may not tread

lost on my tongue
borscht
peroshki
sweet sherry
ashes
Great Aunts in Auschwitz
dialysis
-choop!
our silent heritage
(never really knew what it meant)