the dear widow’s heart in a handbag by Danielle McMahon (Pennsylvania, 41)

what dingy wonders
have cramped
this chambered organ,

a billowing,
dust-caked black,
​
for the dear widow’s heart gave out
much too soon  :

​twisted pins & verdigris
Trifles, threads
for darning, tinctures
of sickly artificial
rose & tinkling pill-
bottles, pulverized

talc, a tiny crochet
hook & bronze brow
tweezer, flaking black patent
wallet, fileted––
​
picked clean.

Danielle McMahon (41) is a mom of two and occasional poet. Her work has appeared in Lammergeier, Rogue Agent, Storm Cellar, Tales from PA, and F Word. She lives in PA with her family.