Silver Dagger

Matka

When I turned thirteen
they took her to a hospital
and surgery after surgery
they took one thing after another out of her
till she resembled the skeleton Jorge
from my biology class—
he seemed a little happier
wearing a sombrero.

I.


"All men are false, says my mother,
They'll tell you wicked, lovin' lies.
The very next evening, they'll court another,
Leave you alone to pine and sigh." JB