Trip to the Gynecologist Before Fran Is Born

Trip to the Gynecologist Before Fran Is Born
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I am three
the seats of the bus
look like they are made of woven reeds.

So much stone
on Philadelphia streets
stone walls, stone fences

paving stone glistening
in the lamplight.
I am not frightened.

My bare knees are cold.
Smooches of chocolate
she wipes off my face

with a tissue
from her purse
fragrant with lipstick.