we both tired and bored
then i’d ask where she was born
somewhere she said
but im not really sure
i want to tell you

she smoked then got up
to get a frozen tamale
from a dirty plate
in the moldy microwave
guilt and sin falling
from her face
like bombed out plaster

he joined the conversation
when she and i silenced
midwifing her and me into
a new set of unasked and unanswered questions

we all three sat there smoking
drinking diet cokes sniffing the air
she rasped i need another drag