An Unremembered Woman

Patsy Zettler

Instructor, Business Communications

She lies in inches of warm water surrounded by white porcelain. Eyes closed. Her face serene. Barely above the bubbles. Her hands cup over her middle, holding a small terry cloth fish. Legs together. Feet pointed. She moves to make soft ripples. She is a mermaid. For a while. She stands atop the others surrounded by green and gold uniforms. Eyes wide. Her face focused. They lift her higher. Her hands press firmly over her middle, feeling the strength. Legs straight. Feet firm. Her fists punch the air. She hears their cheers. She is a flyer. For a while. She earns credentials surrounded by complaining colleagues. Eyes squint. Her face stern. She pushes through glass doors. Her hands press firmly over her middle, feeling the emptiness. Knees bend. Arms extend. She embraces a small boy from Guatemala. She is a working mother. For a while. She lies in layers of pink crepe surrounded by painted metal. Eyes closed. Her face blank. Barely above the pillow. Her hands cup over her middle, holding a tattered photo. Legs together. Feet hidden beneath the cover. She is a cancer victim. She is a memory. For a while.