Two Women

I am standing at the counter waiting for Brenda to

Find my watch newly repaired the pen I am tapping in

Irritated syncopation on the warped wooden counter 

My nerves edged this delay making me late for the next

Appointment She shuffles back watch laid face up a

Casio black rubber wristband a basic model hardly worth

Repair costs including postage except it can't be bought for

Love or money anymore elevating its status I fiddle the buttons

Time date stopwatch alarm let me sign for it I say and reach for

The ticket a paper trembling a fragile leaf in a storm my eyes

Meet her face a mirror cracked eyes shined are you okay her

Head shakes my daughter died she whispers I pull my 

Heart from my blue uniform Brenda's baby eight years missed 

Picture I ask she fumbles the pocket of her black uniform

pulls out a photo of a tiny angel swaddled pink in this moment

Living on the counter between us two mothers beautiful

Whispers out of my mouth heads leaned forward our hands 

Barely an inch apart Brenda's body frosts over I pull my

Prison uniform over my heart hers retreats back under

Sargent's stripes I sign for my watch.