Don't Ask

The strumming of her kantele begins. 

It’s early morning, and by that I mean 4, 

I’m looking from my bed towards my cousin’s door 

The lights are off, they never are 

The handle’s locked 

His candle flickers 

Like the Ms. Pac-Man game in the corner of the room

Onto the bottles of spiced liquor paired with Sailor Jerry pin-up posters

His car is 

Gone 

Her song is 

On 

“Do not ask, my child, do not ask, do not ask.” 

I’m staring at the parrot portrait planning my escape 

It’s 5 AM and you have to think he can’t have gotten far

Not to say that I would either 

She’s playing the next verse 

I wouldn’t get past the neighborhood 

Though their lips are pursed 

Their mouths are loud 

You can’t afford to be too proud 

In this town 

At this time 

When crossing the road 

Would be like crossing the border 

And thin lines and thick locks are the law of the land 

And coveralls and balls of socks save my head and hands

So is it safe to go outside, 

Just to check, 

I’ll run and hide? 

“Do not ask, my child, do not ask, do not ask.” 

Now she plays the outro. 

I pretend to be a tenor while she sings in an alto. 

“Do not ask, my child, do not ask, do not ask.” 

I know there’s nothing to do but look out the window,

She may not be aware, but she isn’t a widow 

At least keep your word to her, we all take on the task 

“Do not ask, my child, do not ask, do not ask.”

Why would you go 

Without letting us follow? 

“Do not ask, my child, do not ask, do not ask.”