appealing

The Maynard
Spring 2018

Kate LaDew
0:00
 
 

there are bad men at the top

twirling their mustaches
so I bolt all the doors
check the alarm three times
hide under the covers
from all those husbands with daughters
(sisters too) all those good—swear it!—good good guys
with their big eyes big hands big teeth
the better to you rule you with
checking the closet one last time the man inside smiles
fancy meeting you here
when he’s done he puts on his blazer, knots his tie
straightens his flag pin and reaches into the closet
throwing a coat hanger my way
don’t say I never gave you anything