Inappropriate

The minister is talking about the "pate" to heaven

and I’m wondering if he means a bald head

or a spread for crackers.

The air is a heavy blanket of wet wool

and carnations rotting in a vase.

Then I see the cousin in the third row

hunch his shoulders and cough,

palming a wad of mint-green gum

and sliding it into his pocket like a secret bribe.

I let out a sound like a tire popping

and everyone thinks I’m finally breaking.