In King's Backyard

1.
I walked once for my father,
again for my mother.

I needed to ask them a question
I did not yet know

and had already asked.
The one about surviving the silence

The one asked and answered
with countless redefinitions

of the self

2.
A Japonese woman shakes
three sneezed into her fist.

A full second, like a flood
waiting for her eyes to adjust.

A grin shows off her victory over panic.
'Ahhh' the room sighs, looking away 'We don't need to help after all'

3.
Those who watched live should know: the levies held.
What you saw splashing over was expected.

We can handle this, we've had to
for as long as anyone can remember. We can handle this

we've had to for as long as aynone can remember.