by Rochelle Ratner
She turns on the tv late and watches the man who's
replaced her husband score a goal. She hurriedly changes
her blouse and the baby's diaper, wondering which hospital
they've taken him to. They've had eleven wonderful years,
she reminds herself. She hears the announcer say
something about his wedding ring, and first assumes it's
his finger they're cutting off. What's she supposed to think?
She's lived in America. She's watched men play with studs
in their ears and gold crosses hanging from their necks.
She's lived in the Middle East, where whole hands are cut
off for stealing.
Rochelle Ratner's books include two novels: Bobby's Girl (Coffee House Press, 1986) and The Lion's Share (Coffee House Press, 1991) and sixteen poetry books, including House and Home (Marsh Hawk Press, 2003) and Beggars at the Wall (Ikon, October 2005). More information and links to her writing on the Internet can be found on her homepage: www.rochelleratner.com.