she swallowed rice & popcorn seeds
& every irritant spit at her
she gathered stones & broken glass
as long as they weren't too big
to lift & press down through her lips
& one of the men who assaulted her
she didn't know why, so you don't know why
at last threw a big enough piece of cement
to crack her shell
& when she came out of it
in blood & bruised intestines
there were pearls, baroque pearls
& one of use to the jeweler
--perhaps you're wearing it?
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