American River Review 2019 - Flipbook - Page 40
Silly Putty Vagina?
Betsy Harper
The woman’s voice carried beautifully
Across the stone patio in front of the museum
A moment of stunned silence sat in the crisp air
Then we all laughed, our breath white and puffy
Is that even a thing? your wife asked
I’ll tell you later, you said
And we all laughed again
But as you wrapped your arm
Around her shoulder
Your eyes slid in my direction
Only for a second—but I knew—
That was what I was to you
A cheap substitute for the real thing
A toy, squatting on your full color
Sunday morning comic strip
Leaving nothing of myself
Your imprint on me obvious
Until you stretched me out
Kneaded me pliable
Used me again
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American River Review