When Literalism Died
by Francine DuBois

"If you can’t get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you’d best teach it to dance."
-- George Bernard Shaw

I. "Greg Gets Grounded"

In Episode 89 of The Brady Bunch, Greg
Has a minor accident in the family car
Leading him to get grounded. He takes
His parents' punishment only literally:
They forbid him to drive their car.
Greg must get to a concert, so he borrows
A friend's car. Later, a frog hops on his
Special lady's head.

II. The Nightmare

When I was about four, I remember
Dancing skeletons coming out of my closet
To kill me. When my parents turned on the light
To see why I was screaming, they glowed
Amber and dark purple.

The skeletons were explained away until they disappeared,
Absorbed into my unconsciousness like tears into skin,
And literalism died in the quiet, still arms of my mother.

Francine's Version -- Hezekiah's Version
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