Intensive Care Nursery

Issue 11, Spring 1979

I didn't forget to run my fingers down her pug nose
and talk to her in my lingo
And call her Arin's nickname by mistake and give her Elle's message which
was Come home, little sister.

I didn't forget to take pictures of her and note the color of her eyes
I didn't forget to cry in front of her and beg her to get better.

But I forgot to ask if it was all right to kiss her, and if it could be arranged
so I could hold her, and how much time we had left.

And, I forgot to take a close look at her thumbs, to see if they're fat and funny, like mine.

And I forgot—Oh God. I forgot—to explain to her that it was my body that betrayed her, not me.