-the punchline-

have you heard the one

about the kid who cracked-up his bike

on the Avenue near the cemetery's gate
who never asked to be excused from the table
who'd sneak-a-peek
inside the forbidden bedroom drawers

who confessed to disobeying his mother

and his father five times every week
and only five times every week
who cursed ten times a week
and only ten times a week

who poured from the altar more wine than water

two-times more wine than water maybe three

who confiscated a quick Lucky Strike
from the old-man's napping pack

who lied to priest about everything

who learned slow dancing from a stiff-
arm's length at the Sons of Italy Hall

who saw the big twin-handled pot

heating water on the stove panting for spaghetti
but got a stove-hot water bath instead?

hahaha...