Amanda Porter

He taught me how to play
the flute, appreciate the world
of flats and sixteenth notes
combined with discussions
of Fiona Apple’s bra in her
latest video, and how
I penned my ex-boyfriends
last name with my finger
on my thigh when he asked
how to spell it.

He would walk behind me,
so close I could feel his
intentions. He would stand
close enough to feel
my palms sweat.

He made additional lessons
throughout the year
to engage us in our
musical experience,
teach us how to form
our lips in the
perfect ellipse and breathe
one solid stream through
the flutes slender silver body.

He was nearing 50 when I
turned 18, and he would
constantly remind us that
his new wife was not much
older than we are now.