Loving Obscenities

She always wore
those stupid
Indian Affairs glasses
that looked like
the slanted eyes of
a Siamese cat.

He always walked
stooped
puffing on Export A
disguising his whisky breath
with spearmint gum.

She always wore
a black and blue shiner
every Friday and Saturday night.
Those stupid fist marks
of his drama attacks.

His eyes moved swiftly
examining every visible track
poking and stubbing his feet
at the sign of suspected
visiting lovers.

And
When they were together
Mother and Father
He would walk ahead
muttering his loving obscenities
while she walked softly behind
staring through his head
with those cheap
Indian Affairs glasses.

- Louise B. Halfe

From Bear Bones and Feathers by Louise B. Halfe. © Coteau Books 1995 / CANCOPY. Used by permission.