As kids, we were always getting in trouble—fights with other neighborhood kids and bad report cards and petty arson, and for the most part Mom took it in stride. But there were times when we pushed her too far, and that was when our middle names would come out. “Alexander Lawrence Hidecress,” she’d say, and my back would stiffen reflexively, sweat beading on my face.

It’s true that I have started avoiding you.
What did you expect?

Reaching out from under
my brother’s bed grabbing
his leg and screaming

Don’t get me wrong, I like people
once in a while and in moderation,
I like people who are high
in energy and low in calories,
but never more than one or two at a time,
because I am way too easily influenced.

Bridge may be icy, or not.
Its reputation for iciness is renowned
but don’t get your hopes up
if you’re an ice aficionado
and its slipperiness is nil.