Shaitanah
Frannie Zellman
According to Ms. C,
Satanah/Shaitanah-
is secular, not religious
married someone not Jewish
wore soft fur-like and spangly tops
.
smiled for no reason
listened to rock and folk,
new wave, punk
in the office
did not apologize for her size
yelled at a lover on the phone
ate at her desk
gave her grandchild tips
on Manhattan sights
only to have Ms. C tell her,
"Oh no, don't talk to her.
She's not a nice person."
Oh yes, Ms.C, ward off Shaitanah!
Keep appraisals
of her boxed up like old ribbons
that fade and thin to strings
on which your thoughts choke
your most holy essence
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