INNOCENT
THE LAST INNOCENT
Ruby is from Africa Congo
Everyone needs one friend
to remind them of the child
they once were Unless
someone is her brother A boy soldier by 8
I encounter her at Planet Car Wash
Ruby blurts out her story in sub-zero
un-glory on a mouldering February
day Strangers always do that I must
have catharsis about my eyes
Yesterday I read in T.O. Life:
I feel for all new Torontonians 300,000
without power in the ice storm 200,000
in the July flood Better go buy a flashlight
Harsh coming from wine soaked editor:
I invited my neighbours over for wine in the
storm We were so bored
Ruby said on the day they took her brother
they also took her mother & made her a
mattress slave A little ice A little water
Sub-zero weather for her a second innocence
Ruby never gets bored in Canada
Ruby I will save you tomorrow
__
Winter 2014