I will step
from the long line
of fledgling
historians

to join
the performance art
that sustains
our most
crowdfunded
sister

and such a stance
will reveal
gentleness
towards women

my silence     will stutter…

     brother,

my oldest son
pauses when speaking
like in your youth
you paused
when speaking

I know now it’s because
people flicker-

     that my son resumes
when they reappear.