Richie McCaffery

Uncles

Uncles

I went into the living room suddenly
to find one of my little nephews
scrubbing his arms with an eraser –
huge livid weals had formed.

I asked him what he was doing
and he replied he was trying
to rub himself out so he could
be drawn all over again.

I said it doesn’t work like that
and gave him a hug. Told him
about an Italian painter
who drew a perfect circle for a Pope.

I said he was that circle. My sister
said he’s having a tough time at school.
My uncles were both drunks. I’m a drunk.
You can rub it out with drink.

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