What My Friends Think

My friends think what women think
They think you are very sick but you will not die
They think: men move furniture, men make money
Men make love to you, you can blame them.
These are the main things men are good for.
Men can give you jewelry, they can give you herpes
They can make you cry.
They can take you to dinner, they can marry you
You can blame them. Men die.
My friends think someday they will be alone
Any woman can live in a world without men
But not in a world without women.
My friends think a sick husband is like any husband
A sick husband does not wash dishes, buy you jewelry, or paint
the trim
Nor does a well husband.
My friends think women are human and men are mammals.
Women invented pottery, agriculture, singing, weaving, and lunch.
Men invented war and French kissing.
My friends think it is best to eat with women
In the day time
And men at night.
My friends think you are sick but do not care
As much as if you were their husband.
My friends think all husbands are sick—
They smoke cigarettes, crack up the car, flirt
They snort heroin, they have
Heart attacks, strokes, senility.
Who can tell what they feel or if they suffer as we do.
They are men. 

© Miriam Sagan