right hand pointing

S u s a n   L e w i s

Dear Nemesis

—most constant

& attentive—

(not that I don’t

appreciate the need for

discretion & its

many splendors)

+ Keats’ reminder that

this is the mother of that

+ a certain flattery

as every one needs

& everyone has

—in this mottliest of

possible whirleds

(in which company loves 

misery & any thing

on any scale is dropt

in the proverbial bucket):

like an impolitic virus

your satisfaction might

undo you.