The torn fingernail <br />screams. <br /> <br />She carries <br />its wound <br /> <br />to me <br />disbelievingly. <br /> <br />I stick it <br />in my mouth. <br /> <br />Hold its pain <br />tight between my lips. <br /> <br />Suckle it <br />into silence. <br /> <br />I tear off the cuff <br />of my shirt. <br /> <br />Bind it. <br /> <br />I carry her <br />home in my arms. <br /> <br />Sleep besdie her <br />sush and soothe her. <br /> <br />After she is <br />fascinated <br /> <br />by the nail's <br />attempt to re-establish itself. <br /> <br />Proud of <br />the scar <br /> <br />at the tip of her <br />finger. <br /> <br />Later, I will bring her <br />to see <br /> <br />the monkies dancing <br />on the organ. <br /> <br />She will laugh <br />as the tiny man <br /> <br />turns the wheel <br />and the music <br /> <br />tumbles out <br />all over itself. <br /> <br />She will tell me she likes <br />the monkey <br /> <br />with the red scarf <br />and the white dots <br /> <br />better than <br />the monkey <br /> <br />with the white scarf <br />and the red dots.<br /><br />Dónall Dempsey<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/little-monkey-for-ruthie/
