you found her one day in an outdoor market

where bearded men sold elephant feet

there was straw on the floor

she was hugging her knees

she sat by a block-lettered sign that said “free”

and you brought her home

made her something to eat

gave her new clothes

and a warm place to sleep

and for all of your trouble

she left tacks in your seat

laced your coffee with poison

put glass in your meat

a flag that says “bang”

might pop out of a pistol

a “snake” from a can of peanut brittle

and where there's a girl by a sign that says “free”

there’s still a market for elephant feet.

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.