Marge Piercy (1936-)

The friend

1We sat across the table.

2he said, cut off your hands.

3they are always poking at things.

4they might touch me.

5I said yes.

6Food grew cold on the table.

7he said, burn your body.

8it is not clean and smells like sex.

9it rubs my mind sore.

10I said yes.

11I love you, I said.

12That's very nice, he said

13I like to be loved,

14that makes me happy.

15Have you cut off your hands yet?