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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Spartacus” Down in the Dirt, v178 (the December 2020 Issue) Order the paperback book:

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Teach

Patrick T. Reardon

Teach the baby his fault.
Teach the baby his distance.
His strap-down.
His adoration rubric.
His fool-ness.

        This is to protect you.

Read the baby the dread gospel,
chapter and verse of tattooed tension.
Roughen his skin with comical caustic.
Break his arm, his ankle.
Him tame.

        He is refuge from your danger.

Teach the ones that follow.
Enlist him to teach their fool-ness.
Enlist him to mortar them into refuge walls.

        Deny everything.

Write “Father of the Year” for the papers,
strut parents of the year in the pews.
After all, fourteen.

        No one will believe him.

Spotlight weight of numbers,
congregants at your altar.
After all, the poor mother.

        But, first, teach the baby his fault.

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