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