AT THE THERAPIST'S, 1974

and then Janet's little five-year-old, Agnus, came in
carrying a candle, which, for reasons known only to Janet,
was burning at both ends.
I took the candle
and that's when my veil caught on fire.
I grabbed Agnus up,
trying to protect her, but she ran away.
I swear she was worried we'd
ruined her mother's performance piece.