Maiden Aunt (For Nellie) Poem by Dónall Dempsey

She tells her beads
a litany of loneliness

prays to God

that he will not leave her

forsaken like this

without love

without knowing

another's body

holding her tight
in the night.

'My God...my God! '
she cries

but God only laughs

demands she goes down
on her knees &

worship only him

forsaking all
her dreams

a kiss
a lover's touch
her name on another's breath.

She listens to
the children's voices

play cards
scream:

'Old Maid...Old Maid! '

She cries
in the hellish dark

until weariness & whiskey
hush her to sleep.

Tomorrow, she will
get up

&...feed pigs.