earlier today
my daughter took a header
down an entire
escalator
chasing a balloon
a potentially
deadly trip
in a second rate
department store
and when the screams
and concerned crowds
were stilled
she wailed
full of life
wondering
where her balloon went

two days ago
at my second rate job
i performed an action
i'd done hundreds
of times a day
for over four years
and managed
to earn myself
eighteen stitches
across my already
uncomely
cheek
and when
the bleeding stopped
and the stitches were in
i drove back to work
irritated
wondering where
my knife went

at first
i was worried
that she inherited from me
the grace of a mule
with blinders on
and that she might be doomed
to a string
of stupid mistakes

all she really cared about
was getting
that damn balloon
and some bumps
and abrasions
proved
no deterrent
while my concern
was to get back to work
get my knife back
and finish the day off
with my brother

in this
i found some relief

in that
the single mindedness
of the father
had been visited
upon the daughter