American Woman
She crosses her legs
and pulls on her dress down over her knees
as she sits on the subway to Brooklyn
reading the Old Testament.
Jesus dominates her thinking
to whom she is wedded,
an immaculate virgin
pruning herself for the new messiah.
Not only are her legs crossed
but her neck, hanging from a crucifix
reveals ever so faint slight white
patch of pale skin concealing
the mystery of her flesh.