Jason Melvin

Butts in the air

Mom said she liked my new poem
the link posted on Facebook
she scanned the room
then her smile disappeared

I need to talk to you

said in a pained whisper
her head nods toward the empty kitchen
away from the rest of the family

She pulls in close and whispers
almost a cry

   I scrolled down and clicked on something

   Did you know?

a dramatic pause
she’s searching for the bravery
to say the vile word

   P    O    R   N!!!!!!!!!!!!

just saying it weakens her knees
I can’t help it     I laugh

This was the wrong reaction
Her: (In her best whisper-yell)

   I’m serious!

Me:

   I don’t know you must’ve clicked

   on something you shouldn’t have

I think of the poem she’s talking about
a little slice of life moment
published on a respectable site
not like the trash I’ve published at HST

my nonchalance has her concerned

   You don’t understand

   I saw their vaginas

   their butts were in the air!

I don’t how she expects me to react
with anything other than knee buckling laughter

   What if your kids saw it?!

my youngest being 16
I have to assume
they’ve seen some porn by now

as my mom storms off
huffing as she goes
I ask

   So, where exactly were their butts?