from her reclined position
did he TELL you?
in piss and pity
did HE tell you?
her black scalp visible
through her nappy hair
shaved close to kill the lice
he's a bastard if he told you!
she looked up at me
did he?
she smiled
tell you?
she extended a beaten hand
from somewhere under her
rags and blankets and papers
no, i said, he didn't say anything
s'what i thought!
