THE DATE SHE BECAME A NUMBER

 

THE DATE SHE BECAME A NUMBER

She smiles as I place the cupcake

on her plate, handing her the plastic

fork wrapped in a napkin.

Young, attractive, personable,

her tattoo mid-level

between her neck and breasts,

but too close to the neck to hide

with a buttoned blouse.

Six numbers—two for the month--

two for the day of the month--

two for the year--

dashes between the numbers

Jim Bodeen

10 September 2024