CALLING FROM OVER THE FENCE

THE NEIGHBOR CALLS FROM OVER THE FENCE

We're at table under Autumn Blaze

eating hamburgers and shrimp

talking with Esaú. E-sa-ú.

Three syllables. Mexican.

He says he's in limbo.

Jacob's brother. I try on his name.

Put on his limbo.

I don't need his brother to do this.

I say his name out loud, Esaú,

like his mother calling him to dinner.

He is always in limbo.

Jim Bodeen

23 September 2019