AUNTIE MABEL COMES TO TOWN

she was long
in a wide way
3 seats across

when she laughed
all of her laughed
an earthquake of flesh

she had a chin
underneath her chin
and then another chin

when she hugged you
her ******* surrounded you
took you prisoner

once she stumbled
tumbled on to the cat
we had to get another cat

the cat
was like a horror movie
only realer

was always afraid
she would tumble onto me
I didn't want to be a real horror movie

the cat said nothing
all his lives
squashed flat

I liked Auntie Mabel but
she had whiskey kisses
spat when she spoke

always glad when she's gone
I feel I have somehow survived
an act of God