Johnny

I had a golden Stingray with a Banana Seat. I had

a cowboy hat and a holster and a cap gun. I had a diamond in my eye.

I walked the words back until the distortion from the music

reached up from the ground. Do you remember me?

As a child I was turned around until I saw

a child with a stingray a, of a child.

A precipice. A sanctuary. A diamond.

I stole my memories myself and, on the weekends, now.

And there is nothing there but

silence and a Golden Stingray. At seven I came to my

father’s bedside and whispered –

Dad when I close my eyes I see cartoons. An easier child

might have meant being cute that he was realizing dreams.

I had a Golden Stingray.