Because I Said So: A Generational Curse
Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
–Job 38:4 NIV
Do as I say not as I do do as I say not as I do do
as I do the opposite do because I said so
because I’m the parent and you’re the child
because I scrub scum from tubs and toilets do as I say
because I toss the Eggos in the toaster do as I say do
………as you do because I do as I do because I am
the parent you are why because
………………I work to pay the bills
………………………why
………………I bought these toys for you
why
………because I said so that’s why that’s why
………………my 5 a.m. alarm creases the sleep
you already interrupted six times I put my book down
to wipe your ass why because I said so because
………I said so because daddy forgets
………………you are three years old your world is a mass
of mysteries I must tidy I must say so
………because you do as I do
………………when I lay these foundations
you orbit and watch then say as I say
………when you giggle ok Daddy time for you to go
to time out now
………………………because I do as I do because I said so
because I’m your parent why ask me if I understand
………how because I said so bored my upbringing
and now I sow the saying in the field of your inquiries
………………and you do as I say the obscurity
in your response to my inquisition why why why why
………did you pour water on the floor
………………did you leave the bathroom light on
………………………did you do as you do as you do as
I do not explain just yell do as I say you yell
………………I thunder from the heavens
without wisdom to gift you my ibis to teach you
………how to count clouds from the ground
………………………Daddy’s sorry
Daddy’s sorry Daddy wagered faith
………he could be the best daddy who ever daddied
for you I’m sorry do as I say because
………daddy fails sometimes when he does as he does
Soon and Very Soon: A Generational Curse
I am very hungry—am incomplete—
and can no longer dine upon your “Wait.”
–Matthew E. Henry
Soon and very soon we’re gonna see
………...the King soon and very soon
we’re gonna see the King gonna see
………...very soon and very soon
gonna see providence and prosperity
……………………….........trickle blessings soon
and very soon the King’s hands
full of the whole world hurricanes and fires
………forests gnawed to ash relief?
soon and very soon we’re
………...gonna see hallelujahs flourish
soon gonna see hallelujahs cascade soon
……………….....the King gonna see
fingers speartipped over PAST DUE bills
……………….....miracles truant
but soon but soon but soon but
……………………….........the King soon?
the King soon soon soon soon
………...as this sister doves the aisles and pews
in her first Sunday white the King soon
………...as your dollar bills scrape the plate
we’re gonna see the King
……………….....we’re gonna see the King
………...soon like a proclamation
for a child’s when? when? when? soon
………...hallelujah hallelujah
no more dying there when? no
………...more dying there hallelujah
divine plan domes destruction
……………………….........hallelujah
..............................................cloche for chaos
………...hallelujah we’re gonna see
we’re gonna see
………...hallelujah
……………….....hallelujah
the King gonna see
……………….....me gonna see soon
………...soon soon soon no
……………….....more dying gonna see
………...grace pickled for millennia spoils
Quintin Collins
Quintin Collins (he/him) is a writer, assistant director of the Solstice MFA in Creative Writing Program, and a poetry editor for Salamander. He is the author of The Dandelion Speaks of Survival and Claim Tickets for Stolen People, selected by Marcus Jackson as winner of The Journal's 2020 Charles B. Wheeler Prize. Quintin's other awards and accolades include a Pushcart Prize, a BCALA Literary Award honor, a Mass Cultural Council grant, the 2019 Atlantis Award from the Poet's Billow, and Best of the Net nominations.