“Lost Teacher”

We might’ve heard
among things said
we could only communicate
through rumors, whistles
like you were struck by lightning
twice or thrice
or as if a windshield-smashing accident
could crack the road
these were explosions of our being
this was us: born teachers
the boyish athlete wanted to surge out of

you
were
complete,
on the evening of some talent show
on the same bases rounded
by Abbott and Costello
at blistering speeds, at amusement parks
in constellation school bus rides
to Misquamicut-washed twilights
who tied his bowling shoes
to telegraph poles and minimarts
a perfect evening spoiled
by the harpy cry,
of a movie theatre’s belittling dreams
as if to close his shutters
could renew a passion for theater
in the winking of a blinking
exit-stage-left-generous eye.