Expulsion

Arnold Kemp

I’ve alphabetized my bookshelf,
Learned the foxtrot and the tango,
Been taught fifty-three words in Chinese,
And my room has never been cleaner.

I’ve been drunk for two weeks,
(It took six handles)
Danced with a beautiful Brazilian,
And won a painting of a tiger in an arm-wrestling contest.

I’ve informed my parents (very carefully).
Dad called me a stupid ass,
And warned me not to tell anyone, or else.
But Mom just cried.

I’m looking at the weary faces on this bus,
soggy students who have waited too long under UNITRANS signs,
Now bent double under the weight of their backpacks,
Forty pounds of books and notes and binders.

My backpack hardly weighs anything:
Just a fifth of rum,
Some pink readmission forms,
And a coupon for a haircut.