“IOU” by Leora Fridman
Finding me acceptable was easy and
done with great dignity, the heft
of an elephant lifting a mouse
higher aloft, just showing off its
chops. People like me admire
those tiny lifts. People like
her. Still, being
acceptable has its
plus. Like a kind
of graceful
fertilizer, she left
me clumped in places. When
acceptable, it was easy
to move. When found, it was
easy to remain. Her:
germinating lake-
bed. Me: Antiquarian
lift. We had those
kinds of mapped
mutations. She moved
my deformities
into bed. She put all trolls
to rest.
Copyright © Leora Fridman, 2010