Dirty Windows

...her name's taped to the wall Here by the bed, thick letters On a card, But she can't really read it, those Necessary markings that point out a spot That's finally faded, bleached Thin As blue-veined hands that wring Tight fabric to white ash...

...and every day Shines in here, dull as the last gold tooth But she can't Really chew it, no argument, night's Better, light dim as no dust on the furniture Or Monday morning laundry hanging on the line, Finally finished...

...Joyce JC Luzzi Dirty Windows This place Has dirty windows that scrub Against new sunlight every morning The way old bars of homemade Soap rake Skin off an open palm, light Harmed, turned to the color old sweat Prints on a collar, but She can't Really tell, coddled cataracts Inoperable at her age, rage beaten Cleaner than any bedsheets rubbed, House-proud, Blue put in, old-fashioned punctuation Mark...