American Fable: The Godmother

Or: when kind words fail

I only brought enough money

for my cab fare home

but you're welcome to that

if it will help, only please

take the knife out of my back.

If I had a magic wand I would wave it

and make everything right for you.

 

Lucky he fled. In her purse

the derringer still had one bullet.

 

when kind words fail

to turn away the knife

a gun's a good backup.