Interview in the Hinterland

by Elizabeth Gordon McKim

Have we met before ?

Yes
I met you once.
In the parking lot.
I remember I was wearing
Nylons.  What were you wearing?

I don’t remember.  Nothing.  Nada
What is your middle name ?

Don’t have one.  My parents told me
  I could choose.
I chose violet.  They said
No.  No violence.  No
Violet.

What did they know ?

Nothing.  Exactly.

Have you been to the mountain ?
Behind the parking lot ?

I used to go.
Now you have to pay.
So I don’t go.

What do you do when
you’re not wearing blue ?

I put one finger up
And one across.
Eight into prayer
Position.
  I dance until
I break.  Give up
on the almighty.
Complain to the goddess.
Threaten strike.  Walk
Out.  Walk to
  Downtown
Center.  Retire the side.
Sing repetitive
Phrases in all my known
And unknown languages.  Dream.
Try to sleep.  What do you do?  

Doo whaa   Doo wha.

Wise up and wait
Till the the next question
Comes barreling
In.  All fun and wild
  Games.  Can you hear me
Howling down
Our names ?   Our
Name