My father’s baby book
has three
buffalo head nickels
taped to
Baby’s Gifts page.
11 days old,
4 months old,
New Year’s Eve of his
first year.
White medical tape,
crossed and signed by the giver, tape
wrapped around
gauzed knees and toes,
protect these gifts.
Bandaged nickels,
smudged dirty in 1932,
relief-relieved,
what pockets and sweaty fingers,
rubbed across your feathered
nape,
circulated coins,
where did your bison roam?
