A Family Matter

there are gaps we’ll never fill

^{Creatures by Jules Perahim}

Dear Readers,

This poem is a proof why Bob Hicok is one of the funniest poets ever. In “A Family Matter,” the ordinary becomes extraordinary as familial connections intertwine with humor and reflection. He dives playfully into the intricate water-dance of love, identity, and the quirks of family dynamics. A whimsical exchange between spouses, the poem brims with warmth and humor, underscored by a deeper exploration of the complexities of relationships and the mysteries of human connection.

May our lives be full of laughter,

Karan

A Family Matter

by Bob Hicok

Of course, when my mother asked
that I give my wife a kiss for her, I did so,
telling my wife, I am my mother, kissing you.
My wife’s mother, it turns out, had asked the same,
so of course she told me, I am my mother,
kissing you back. When we informed our mothers later
that they had kissed as lesbians
through heterosexual proxy
beside our cat’s sense that something
like a mouse or with the potential
to be a mouse would eventually move
through the spot she was staring at,
where nothing was or had ever been, as far
as the record shows, my mother asked, was tongue
involved? My wife and I consulted the log
but there was no entry. We shrugged
at our mothers and went about our lives,
though now with an awareness
there are gaps we’ll never fill
that may or may not have tongues in them,
though given a vote, I say yes, tongues, red
like our mouths are where flames go
to be alone.

This poem was first published in Rattle.