pleas
Steven Shea

Daddy eats his chocolate chips before bed
I watch him watching God across the page
His hands engulf the bible, verses read
A curse, his church is bled into my veins.

Coffee pots and Sundays rot into me
Holy Mary, boyish thoughts have begun
Drizzling wisps of hair and skirts above the knee
Sin discovers my Daddy’s only son.

My Daddy fears his God is watching us
He’s thumbing worried beads upon his knees
He whispers to the Lord, “Leviticus
Holy God save us from temptation, please.”

Nothing. My Daddy’s knuckles crack and bleed
I peer into his eyes. I have to see.