Jefferson Carter The 2River View, 8.2 (Winter 2004)
The Mummy

Wrapped in my blue & white striped
100% Egyptian cotton bed sheet
I skulk in the vestibule. What a word—
ves.ti.bule—the last syllable
like breathing on a mirror. I overheard
two girls laughing about their teacher
arrested taking out the garbage
in his underwear. I say more power
to him. I'll say to those girls the night
I catch them, have a little mercy.
Mercy, a word that sounds
like someone swallowing flowers.

2River