Baseball Cards.

Her neck brace is faux skin
the colour of band aids
same as smiles between strangers

Head trauma has paralysed her right side
She'll be more artistic and less attractive
from now on.

Fake tan fades faster
than betadine stains
I would have thought of fucking her
not now
I don't want a closer look
at the glass chip scars
days she's been crying
knowing that
her pretty face
isn't pretty anymore
and the plan
for a husband
and a house
and beautiful children
all now poorer and uglier

There's a new friend
see through
black chiffon
Tight black bra squeezing
her belly fat
like a fifty something caterpillar
offering coffee and comfort

the importance of ugliness
to make the ordinary
feel beautiful

The new friend she collects
abused and damaged
stupidity addicts
husband loather
the desperately unpregnant

she says
I know...
all day
on the phone
for coffee and comfort
I know...
my husband is wonderful
like that...

She collects these
pitiable women
and pictures in her purse
of children and grandchildren
who visit most Christmases