the line up

turn left
now right, face
forward, stand up
straight.
there are nine
of you and
everyone looks
a little bit
guilty about
something.
finally the woman
points at you
and says,
it's him.
that's my son.
he never calls
or comes to
visit. i hardly
recognize
his face it's so
lean, so thin.
are you eating?
sunday, i'll put
a plate out. five
o'clock.