Smothered

We enter the home

subdued and smothered as the woman there

subdued and colorless

oatmeal beige everywhere

dry wood furniture covered in dust

two people sitting in a big dim room

a man and the woman we've come to see

she

pale, withdrawn

trying to disappear

she

barely dressed

in a thin nightgown

thin

with graying hair

our interview conducted

with the florid husband

looking on

sucking the air

right out of the room

steering the conversation

his voice loud,

strong

stridently he denies any abuse

the abuse he says she

accused him of

maybe the big lunk is innocent

but his overt actions say otherwise

his prominent occupation of the space

does not allow us to speak in peace

underscores his controlling ways

next time we'll go later in the day

hopefully she will be clothed

we'll take her out in an open place

out of the dusty coffin home

out in the clear, open air

we'll see if she can breathe on her own

next time