(There’s a mystery kid)
in some family photos
he’s all big eyes red cheeks
and an oversized cardigan
out of place snow in summer
a hair strand on your mouth
not irritating but there
I think his name was Johnny
he’s as Catholic as his knees
with a rally in his pose
earlier years my sisters holding me
between them my bended legs
like a chimpanzee wrestling
squirming shy to get away
from that pumped up Santa
garden gnome on steroids
my dummy looks like
it’s been dropped a few times
and I don’t like clowns
once Johnny bit fat Christmas
on his stubby good will hand
a celtic arc through detente
winked at me getting down
wave of fringe sweeping
a straw cleaning broom
the next picture’s blurry
I’m all giddly goo smiles
free on the orphan’s tab
James Walton Poetry 