The Poor Boy Gives Up The Burden of Being Good

by Robert Klein Engler

Originally published on May 1, 1998

High above the Illinois prairie a jet flies eastward.
A man sets his drink down on the tray in front of him
and looks out the window at an expanse of snow.
He sees the skyline of Chicago in the distance below.
Perfect love drives out fear, yet who is perfect?
Once a year a dove’s wing brushes against Golgotha.
The [...]

Final Exam

by Robert Klein Engler

Originally published on October 1, 1997

Essay Question:
Compare the touch of a lover’s hand on your shoulder to a red leaf falling on
the grass. Are the weight of these gestures enough to break a heart? Make
sure your answer includes a note of frost.
Multiple Choice:
a. To live without your lover is a waste of the body.
b. To live with one you [...]

Touchstone

by Robert Klein Engler

Originally published on October 1, 1997

In Old Jerusalem there used to be The Stone of Losses. If you lost
something, and another man found it, you would meet at the stone, he on one
side and you on the other. You would declare, I lost my father, I lost my
house, I lost my lover and my hope. He would say, [...]

Let’s Review

by Robert Klein Engler

Originally published on September 1, 1997

He will be 21 in September. After dinner he took his sweater off and lounged
in a T-shirt. I have not felt so vulnerable in years…or so old. He drinks
(two bottles of wine with dinner), and smokes (cigarettes). He pees a lot
(see above). All through dinner I wore my silver ring with the fish on it [...]