-Shake, Rattle 'n Roll-

the Parkinson’s was degenerative, causing havoc

to Uncle Armand’s central nervous system.

as his body shook involuntarily

Armand displayed a slight, although continual

and some might say, disturbing smile across his mouth;

disturbing because his eyes weren't smiling.

above the grin, Armand had the eyes of a Hollywood
B-movie slasher.

I was too young to feel anything

beyond the pressing desire to leave the house,

to venture outside, out there,— crossing the street to the park,

joining the ranks of my own kind.

there’s a lot of information

to sort through when the day begins.
if diligence is applied a foundation might develop.

now at the stream of stories to be told
comes this violation into Uncle Armand's nothingness.

but I raise my early morning cup to say herein:
Armand, this one's for you.

Quequechan, c. 1951, 1953. 2024