Francis

Francis is unbraiding her hair
by the well house
and watching the men repair
the broken pump
one man has failed to bring
the right tools
the other touches the switch
flipping it off and on at random
there is a heated debate
on proper parts
Francis doesn't care
she is combing out now
with her fingers
pulling ribbons of happiness
and utter indifference
from her dark strands
somewhere near her scalp
she touches clarity
but moves on
her fingertips on a more
primal discovery
she is not surprised by men
unable to master water, switches, tools
She lifts her face to the cold sun
restlessly rewinding her tresses
and turning her back

Reviews

[Emily B]

I guess we never really know what is going on in the minds of the idle. The artists who watch. The indolent girls who seem to be somewhere else. Thiis is stunning in its seeming simplicity. Braided in so many layers.

[AK]

I can see Francis there, watching these men who are not very good at their job. She seems unimpressed but not surprised. Oh how she wants to leave this place,

Nicely done.