Psalm 23 B

Psalm 23 B

Ada's husband left

her to wash clothes and cook for coin

at the great casona of the chief 

and chew stale bread at the table

with one tooth missing

in front.

In late afternoon

she trudges the trail back

to Ulwas village.

Now, at night Ada loves Jesus

with children curled motionless 

on the floor like spilled macaroni

she talks to her Lord 

--fireflies wink outside the door--

though she doesn't like men

to wash for but one

that she be married again.

Adds her Amen 

to the yank-grunt of a white hair growing

in front, and lays down

beside a pool of dark

still water.