NANCY REDDY

Fervent Missive

Sir—

I have kept my secrets. And been stuffed with them, as on the county's
goose day. I tell no one how at night you came to me and slipped your hand

between my ribs, how then I knew no heart was left beating
in my chest. And after, how another boy touched me and all at once my skin

had edges. I was that docile once. I loved you only with my girl-heart, the false
one that like a baby tooth lost its root and fell away. I know the irises

won't bloom this year. Here, the dead
stay dead. Once I trusted that when the time was right

you would teach me when and how to leave you. I see now
that in this matter, as in so many others, I have been forsaken.