Ash Wednesday
My husband says
when asleep
I asked softly
“help. Help. Help. Help,”
can’t be helped
I’ve had a terrible childhood
even though some people scoff at me
it’s true
he searches the room for a cork
he used to wax his skis
he went skiing with his brother-in-law
Hatcher Pass
found it outside
by the car
it’s a mild winter
we need to print out boarding passes
early tomorrow
my husband talks about the stars
the Southern Cross
Paula Yup currently lives in Spokane, Washington. She has poems published in California Quarterly, J Journal, Saranac Review, Poiesis, Trajectory, and Exit 13.