two brothers in Philly

my uncles,

Lenny and his brother

Johnny.

weren't exactly made men.

but they

played the part.

white caddies,

sharp suits

and hats,

always thumbing their

noses

at something.

taking

calls late at night.

talking Italian,

at the table

while eating mushrooms

in the dim afternoon

light.

they were always

loading boxes

of liquor into

the trunks of their cars.

they knew something,

or somebody.

it's just business 

i used to hear them say.

just business.