Miriam

miriam was kind of homely

kind of ugly in the face and hands

she had nice eyes

she had nice breasts and hands and feet but she was

small

and dark

and hurt

all over

she was buff from lifting things

secretly she played the tambourine

she had nice rhythm

she dreamed to play the drums but she was

poor

and overworked

and tired

miriam bussed to work each day

and hummed over cold soup at night

miriam worked for minimum wage

and hadn't had a boyfriend since that

drug addict fling

she had sold her television

saved her pennies for a weekly quart

of milk and lotto ticket

just in case her luck should change to

good

or slightly

less

than bad

miriam was kind of homely

kind of ugly in the face and hands

she had nice eyes

she had nice breasts and hands and feet