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Bedtime Story


bed calls. i sit in the dark in the living room
trying to ignore them


in the morning, especially Sunday mornings
it will not let me up. you must sleep
longer, it says


facing south
the bed makes me lay heavenward on my back
while i prefer a westerly fetal position
facing the wall


the bed sucks me sideways into it when i
sit down on it to put on my shoes. this
persistence on its part forces me to dress in
the bathroom where things are less subversive


the bed lumps up in anger springs popping out to
scratch my dusky thighs


my little office sits in the alcove adjacent to
the bed. it makes strange little sighs
which distract me from my work
sadistically i pull back the covers
put my typewriter on the sheet and turn it on


the bed complains that i'm difficult duty
its slats are collapsing. it bitches when i
blanket it with books and papers. it tells me
it's made for blood and bone


lately spiders ants and roaches
have invaded it searching for food

Written by Wanda Coleman

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