Page 38 of The Black Flamingo

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the back of my math book and slip them

inside this new book.My POETRY book.

Daisy is off sick today

with period pains

and in drama class Rowan asks

to be my partner.

In our pairs, we all find a space

of our own in the drama studio.

We’ve been told to play a game

called, “Yes, And!”

Whatever your partner says,

you’re supposed to agree and add something.

I say to Rowan: “We’re going to the beach.”

Rowan says, “Yes, and it’s a nudist beach,

so we have to get naked.” He takes off his tie

and swings it at crotch level.

I laugh, and take off my tie, and swing it, too.

I say: “Yes, and let’s get in the water now.”

He says: “Yes, and let’s swim to that island,

over there.”

Rowan points,

and we swim past our classmates

all playing in their pairs

until we reach the corner of the drama studio

where the ceiling-to-floor-length black curtains

gather.

I say: “Yes, and we’ve arrived on the island.”

He says: “Yes, and it’s nighttime now.”

He goes behind the curtains.

I follow.

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