~ Delta Poetry Review ~

Lisa Sultani

The Messenger

If I told my friends in Georgia the story of my husband

They would gasp and say his life should be a movie

Or at least a documentary.

They would stand in awe at how we ever chanced to meet

If I shared even more, their disbelief would change to sadness—

The type of sadness we feel when viewing an ancient temple or pyramid.

Sympathy and support would be readily extended, perhaps even offers of alms

I would accept all of this, though not their money

As the hungry cannot be fed by donation only.

Because I am conscientious, I do not share the story of my husband

Like almost all stories, it is not mine to borrow and distribute

And although he trembles when I say it

It is a story that will outlast my own.

Lisa Sultani earned her Master's degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her poems are included or forthcoming in CERASUS, J Journal, The Racket and redrosethorns. She lives in Georgia, which is decidedly more tropical than she was expecting.