baked and glazed
the ham stood from the platter
demanded prayer
clean hands
a kind speech in his honor

"DON'T LOOK AT MY LIFE FROM
THE CORNER OF YOUR EYE!" the ham hollered

they begged forgiveness
and honored his requests

the ham grunted
as their knives pulled him apart
he wiggled and smoothed out
sighing on their tongues

Frank kissed the naked bone
over and over
held it to the sunlight kissing it

the bone purred all night
from the foot of the bed