Shmutz

by Felicia Berliner

During high school, Raizl made up stories about going to see friends, and went to the library instead.

“So you don’t fit in, even when you’re not watching porn,” Dr. Podhoretz says.

the Black man is the mannest. Why the dark bodies are chocolate, coffee, mocha but the white ones are never milk or butter. Why the labels repeat—big and giant and even monster. Why monster?

sitting slightly forward in her chair?

For her, sensation is more necessary than comfort.

But many women have difficult husbands. Sick husbands. How many women wife even when the man doesn’t husband? Stay, and take care, and don’t ever leave?