visiting hours

when i went to visit the ex-wife

in the psych ward

she was in a straight jacket

but fairly calm and rational.

the guard stood by as i

approached her padded room

and leaned towards the window

where i could see her smiling.

but chewing on her leather

straps. i didn't think i'd ever

see you again, she said, growling

in english and then something

else in what i think was latin.

i looked at the guard,

but he just shrugged.

what did you do to your hair?

i asked her.

i like it like that, all wild

and frizzy. is that from the shock

treatments?  nice.

thanks, she said. i like it too.

by the way,

i can't find my extra phone

charger, i told her. do you

remember where you put

it?  did you take it with you

when they took you away?

and my copy of  catcher

in the rye. i can't find it

anywhere. other than that.

just wanted to check in on you,

see how you're doing.

how's the food here

in the cafeteria? i'm starving.