' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' 'Little Monkey(For Ruthie)

The torn fingernail screams. She carries its wound to me disbelievingly. I stick it in my mouth. Hold its pain tight between my lips. Suckle it into silence. I tear off the cuff of my shirt. Bind it. I carry her home in my arms. Sleep besdie her sush and soothe her. After she is fascinated by the nail's attempt to re-establish itself. Proud of the scar at the tip of her finger. Later, I will bring her to see the monkies dancing on the organ. She will laugh as the tiny man turns the wheel and the music tumbles out all over itself. She will tell me she likes the monkey with the red scarf and the white dots better than the monkey with the white scarf and the red dots.