Sara’s real father,
while drunk on wine
& ebony thighs,
jumped ship
in the Mediterranean
during the winter of ’54
& started a second family
with an olive toned
Greek girl in Athens
who comforted him
with mythology
& compared him to Ulysses.
Sara memorized
the only letter
her father wrote to her.
Dearest Daughter,
Sometimes a woman
can keep a man
from losing his mind.
I hope someday
that you will understand.
Sara did not marry.
Her job at the asylum
occupied most of her time
but for fun she goes out
with the girls
from the church choir
to a nearby island
where they sing
for the passing ships.
