In the Paradise Restaurant

My first visit here
Across the room
I see a woman in rose

I hear her laughter
at a remark
not meant for me
a stranger in Paradise

She repeats the remark
"A Catholic in Oklahoma
is that such a big deal?"

I stir rice on my plate
and mouth words
silently
to the woman in rose
so little she knows

A Catholic in Oklahoma
a snowball in hell
How long did they last?
Which ones melted and ran
when the fire burned hot?

then I asked the waitress
to bring more tea

Notes

McDaniel, Wilma. (2001) Borrowed Coats. Hanging Loose Press, Brooklyn, New York.
Courtesy University of California, Merced Library. Copyright owned by the Regents of the University of California.