A cut Sharon found

on her wrist.  She knew

no human possibly

could bandage it.

“I could call a dog

to be my doctor, but

then wouldn’t my hand

heal as the paw of a dog?

“Could I still hold my spoon,

could I still eat my stew?

What would the neighbors

say if they saw?”

A lump Sharon found

on her belly.  She knew

no woman could possibly

pull a child out from it.

“I know a fish lady

I could ask about this.  She

could swim up there and coax

the child down, but then

“Wouldn’t my baby have to live

in a bowl?  What would my husband

say, if he found out?  And then

I couldn’t be his mother anyway!

“I know there’s this funny

liberal view, that says almost any

nurse will do, so long as no one

tries to cure herself.  But that’s

too radical for me!”