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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 16, 1992)
Roberta Bailey, a UNL graduate student in English and mother of six Welfare Lines the veins on that woman’s legs crawl upward like halloween trees purple claws that milk life into swollen ankles before draining it altogether i think no cheese again i can’t use more grapefruit juice you’d think we could get good food the poor must never sleep it fades them crooked faces even the children are faded ancient hope you brought bags today there ain’t any boxes stack those cans sideways in that cart lady they won’t fall out cigarette smoke acid sweat close my sinuses only two more and i am next but that white haired woman i’ll be a minute ed after velma there lied to her husband i feel a growl in my throat like a dog i want to protect that last box in the corner the women i’m sorry lady the sign says be sure * you got all your food the first time don’t look nearly as embarrassed to be here i can’t get clean enough when i leave i keep wiping at my clothes and looking don’t you think you could keep that child still he stepped on my foot i have arthritis and he just came over and hurt me. for reflections is there any color in my face her veins creep toward me until the legs i stare at are my own •student discounUaMiHMH futons the unmade bed I FUTON ♦FURNITURE | Omaha108th & Center402/397-9340 Direct Your Hair To Great Color Perm Hair Color - Framesi Color Semi-Perm Redken Shades and Highlights (including weaves) Directives 1200 "N" In the Atrium 477-6921 Trish Martin is a junior English major. She has been published in the 1991 and 1992 issues of Laurus. Mel You in your paper skin, thin as onion skin and you are beautiful still; butterfly wings, if I touch you, you will come off on my fingers. Old man do you miss your life? Your hands are the color of red plums and they are crossed with veins; you have the skin of an unborn baby, irridescent and glowy in a near-dead way. You sing a hymn for us on Saturday afternoon, and that is all you do, you cannot find the strength to speak. Your wife visits for you, while you make small, pathetic noises, high and girlish and painful. You wipe your eyes, your hands shaking and goofy and what can I do but look at you and try not to cry and try not to stare and try not to be so young and able. My body is clear-headed and smart. It thankfully does what I tell it to do. I tell it to leave you here now, to follow your grandson out the door and to the car, remembering your bewildered eyes. I tell my body to forget that I am dying just as fast as you are, you just began your slow climb 70 years earlier than I did. Then later, in the quiet of your grandson’s breath and the care against the road, I think, what does it all matter? Now, death no longer frightens me, and 1 see that it has lost its sting for you also, you with your skin looking almost blue, like a baby’s, and absolutely sunken in, your bones absorbing your flesh. What can be more than faith? I wonder. We are on the same journey to the source, old man, and we just try to be content and hopeful along the way. Announcing: ' HERBIE HUSKER Tryouts Interviews will be held: Wednesday, April 22 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm & Thursday, April 23 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm City Union, Room will be posted. ■ For more information and I to sign up for an interview time call I Terri, 477-8164 and leave a message. REPRESENT THE CORNHUSKERS WITH SPIRIT AND PRIDE You.... Yes You, Could Be Herbie