She sat on the edge of the bed and she knew
tears falling like frail birds
he wouldn’t ever leave this town
he would fix cars with his father
and she would forgo the Fulbright
she in virginal white, smiling her best bride smile
for the endless rounds of photographs
while silent cells divided
she looked out the window at waves
washing the wide beach
a breeze threaded through the room, dancing
muslin curtains while a seagull
strutted on the porch
she remembered when she met him, he didn’t mind
the few extra pounds, the crooked tooth,
the whisper of a mustache
she touched her belly lightly
and she knew she would stay
