piñata

i wonder why
daddy never spins around
or puts a blindfold on
before he hits mommy.

the way he hits her,
i think he thinks
she will give him candy
or pop rings or toys.

he hits her and
she goes away.
bounces back
off the wall
and he hits her again.

mommy turns many colors.
her tears fly around
like paper.

i wonder why daddy
just doesn't go
to Cardenas' Market on Guadalupe St.
if he wants a piñata.

8/31/96; 9/29/99
©Robert Karimi

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