My Father’s Ties

Ginny Short

he always wore
colorful ties
draped around his neck

a noose of

killer whales
circling an oceanic whirlpool
labyrinthine
teeth shining

starry night
dancing madness
down his throat

the grinch
with a heart
two sizes too small
clattering, snared against
his ribcage

whirling moons
in a quagmire
of stars
plastered across his chest

naked lady,
mermaid face
draped in chains of leaves,

buried in the corner of a drawer

a spot of frantic color
in a tangle of
gray and black suits

i suppose that
is what 80 proof
suicide
is all about

we buried him in a plain black and white striped tie.