The Pedestal Magazine > Archives > ISSUE THIRTY-TWO: Feb-Apr (06) > Poetry >Arlene Ang - Marshal Song Enters the Servants' Quarters after a Night of Gambling, His Pockets Empty

View Search Result

In another life, things could have been different: the necklace around my neck, his wife's womb, the shape of a triangle, this lantern by the wall. I have borne him seven sons, buried three while she watched from a high chair and drank tea. At night, I see their faces over his shoulder: the bed drapes are rich in red and gold textures. I still use threads from my father's clothes to clothe the dead. She watches me through the frowns of other women, teaches the children to spit on my shadow. He says the strawberry mark on my cheek makes him feel beautiful, how he loves me for this. Does being sold twice for half the silver make a whole price? Had we been dogs, he adds, we'd have been happy. His sour breath warms my ear. And, in that brief moment before he falls asleep, I believe him. Arlene Ang lives in a small town outside Venice, Italy. Her poetry has been published in numerous literary journals, including FRiGG, Orbis, Rattle, Smiths Knoll, and Poetry Ireland. Her first full-length collection of poetry, The Desecration of Doves, was published in 2005. For more information, visit: www.leafscape.org/aang