Woman at the crosswalk <br />daughter in hand, <br />they are late for the school bus. <br /> <br />The purple eye is humiliating. <br />How do you hide it <br />and everyone knows its meaning. <br /> <br />I have walked into a dozen doors <br />and never made <br />a fistmark on my face. <br /> <br />Tall despite your wound <br />your hand cups your little girl's <br />as you venture into traffic. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />(2006)<br /><br />Mike Finley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/purple-eye/
