Bridge
Home from school,
she hears their voices
leaves her books in the hall,
lies on her bed, tunes out
with the Top Forty.
In the family room
her mother smokes cigarettes,
one after another, flicks
the cards fast
like they are hot.
her partner’s fingers curl tight
around each hand.
“Your deal.” Annie Talbot rasps,
her mouth purple-red, cheeks
wrinkle engraved, cat scratch woman.
Her mother keeps humming
that part of an old song
about being the one and only,
the queen of hearts.
