North End Butcher Shop
by David Harbilas

    The butcher keeps offal, tripe and kidneys
    on display behind the counter
    like trophies,
    and customers stand with dollar bills
    in their hands.
    I remember the day someone whispered
    behind me in eighth grade English
    and papers were folded into secret shapes,
    passed along a chain of hands
    until they were taken
    and pinned on a board
    for everyone to see my name.






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