oh, give her a break
she's a good kid, they told him

attending the premiere 
sitting cross-legged
on one of the padded mats
spread like dusky islands
askew the filthy concrete floor

no, I mean it, her father answered
all she needs are some lessons
instead of homework from her
accredited sulking program

once, 
while rifling through the toolshed
I came across dad's baby grand piano
a used model sitting forlorn
on the linoleum-tiled floor

but I'm sick 
she had yelled
her jaw tightening 
as she turned back
to the tv show 
about the screwball family
it didn't matter which

and besides,
I don't want to learn

when called upon
she could deliver
an endless stream
of things detested

but not one joy