LOVELY FAIR HAIR.
I see Fay's old man
arguing with the baker
in the Square
the baker's horse
eats from a nose bag
unconcerned
about the raised voices
what's up
with your old man?
I ask her
she stands next to me
on the balcony
looking down
he thinks
the baker's a Jew
and says she doesn’t
want no Jesus killer
handling his bread
but it's the same baker
we've always had
I know but you know
my dad once he gets
an idea he follows it
through to the end
I watch
as the two men argue
the horse eats away
a crowd gathers
why take it out
on the baker
he didn't even
know Jesus?
I say
Fay looks embarrassed
and bites
her finger nails
he's like that
if he thinks anyone
had anything to do
with the Crucifixion
he's on their case
we watch
as the baker
shrugs his shoulders
and strokes
his horse's neck
Fay's old man
walks away
pointing his finger
best hide
she says
if he sees me
talking to you
and thinks I’ve
been watching him
he'll have ago
at me and you
so we move along
the balcony
and crouch low
down by the wall
we hear her old man
coming up
the concrete stairs
moaning still
his voice echoing
along the balcony
but Jesus was a Jew
I whisper
and so was his mother
she puts a finger
to my lips
and says
I know
(in a low whisper)
but Dad doesn't think
that way
I look at her
crouching there
her blue eyes
and lovely fair hair.
