Joshua Keiter

At dinnertime our daughter 
sings at the top of her lungs 

not interested in food 
or conversing with her audience 

she sings many refrains 
then refrains and sings them again 

not sure if she’s showing off 
all that she has accomplished 

since the gathered crowd has last 
assembled in our house a year ago

driving a day and a half 
to be here for her almost birthday 

and what do they get in return 
such song such endless song 

piercing the air with sweetness 
what is dinner for but dessert