DALTON AMES

Keith Vaughan 1912-1977
Ochre Bather, 1951

Dalton Ames
__________________________

“he rolled the cigarette
quickly with about two
motions he struck the
match with his thumb”
—William Faulkner,
The Sound and the Fury

He was goodlooking—
So goodlooking that it made
Me weak in my knees.

When he grabbed me tight—
I pretended I was her
Caddy my sister.

I felt what she felt—
I got to see what she saw
And then he fucked me.

Up against the bridge—
Stickin’ his tongue in my ear
Biting my neck bad.

Dalton was no good—
He be so bad I fainted
He got me good then.

I had a hickie—
On my neck & dark bruises
Where he bit me hard.

And when I woke up—
I was down there on my knees
Looking up at him.