Postcard – poem

POSTCARD
Christina Hile

Lester, remember to
rub your scalp with apple
cider vinegar, stay away from
the card games, call Bertie on
Sunday, drink a cup
of tea–not whisky–with
your cream biscuits, say your
prayers, take one
horehound drop every
morning and evening, leave
the dowsing rod in the
hall closet, the money from
selling eggs goes in
the bank and not the cigar
box under your side of
the bed, don’t pick on
the neighbor children, wear
something other than that
stained cardigan, read only
under bright light, think of
my return when I will tremble
at the touch of your lips upon
my tired cheek.

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