Characteristics of People Not So Ordinary
Joseph R. Trombatore

for Claudio Tortorelli

They live in shadows
sheltered quarters
where children run to during a storm
a place of frogs, & bare feet
antique wallpapers
where crayon outlines
of small hands reside
a quiet look & comic book art
Dad brought back like a prized Matisse
the machete, canteen,
cat-o-nine from Buchenwald
in his eyes
the mark of soaked whips
on pale backs
the oiled weapons of war
chronic hatred
of a winter’s grasp
snapshots of French women
in black
carrying crosses under a heavy moon
the black leather belt hanging
beside the back porch swing
a bowl of plums
& a spider’s scream


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