i come in threes

— a poem by chase klavon

three knocks three knocks three knocks on wood

would you please stop that

that tapping that tapping tapping tapping

only i can do that

one two three four one two three four

laces double knotted always never untied

slip on shoe on slip shoe on

odd girl you are odd girl why are you like this

superstition that is all it is

that is all

i pray for my family

my grandmother my family my grandmother

i pray for me i pray for me and my mind

every night before bed every night before i sleep

before i shut my eyes before i don’t wake up

one last time one last last time

key nudged in forefinger nudged in thumb

sweating warming pleading for an attacker

don’t tell anyone of the news the news the word you heard

your wish it will not come true if you spill it

blow out the candles close your eyes pray for her

it is always her

i am tired

but if you are there if you are listening i want to know why i

why i need to do the things that i do

it is not superstition

it is much more than that