Good Times

             after Lucille Clifton

my mom has paid more than is necessary

and my dad is gone

and the waters back on

and my brother’s worked

every damn night

me and my sister watched hello

and goodbye like

morning cartoons

good times

good times

my dad sits and waits for pork roll

and my grandma is happy he’s home

and everybody is drunk

and the dining room is scategory turned

nigga i will beat your ass

and i’m asleep upstairs drenched in loud

oh these good ass times

good times

good times

and no we weren’t children

for long oh good

times good

good times

times gone