Poetry: Apple Rabbit Circle

Carmen Fought

Apple Rabbit Circle

for John

I want you to remember these three words.

The doctor makes a shape with her hand.

I don’t think she knows she’s doing it.

Do you know what day it is today? she asks.

There’s a calendar on the wall.

November? you say.

Your eyes slide over to mine. A shrug.

Okay good, she says.

What about the president?

You think for a second, then:

What about him?

She gives us an awkward smile. Okay good.

Now, the words I said before,

do you remember them?

You shake your head.

Does it help if I tell you

that one of them was a fruit?

A pause. No.

The doctor writes something on her pad.

Then she asks you to name some birds.

As many as you can.

You surprise her.

Frigate bird, you say, flamingo,

scarlet tanager, western oriole, common

house finch, rose-breasted cockatoo,

(as if you’ve studied for this part)

blue-footed booby, Atlantic puffin,

black-crowned night heron.

Okay good,

the doctor says, Now-

But you aren’t finished. Lorikeet.

bush warbler, West African

crowned crane, turkey vulture—

also called turkey buzzard—spoonbill,

grosbeak. Black-capped chickadee.