running into the ex

i go to the doctor

and tell him

about this stabbing pain

in my lower back.

it really hurts,

i tell him. can you take

a look, maybe prescribe

some pain

medications for me.

he helps me take my

shirt off and has me

lie down on the table.

have you seen one of

your ex-wives lately, he

asks, staring at my back.

why, why do you ask,

i did run into Betty,

number two last week.

why do you ask?

well there's a pen knife

lodged in your back.

it's pink and inscribed

with the letter B.

hold still, let me pull

it out.