Does Purity Exist?

At the Market

The women looked stern
All had bunions and were going to sue
They wrinkled up their faces and shook
Their collective heads not willing to speak
She did not ask them anything else
She was always working on her virginity
At the church house where he lived
Although she did not want to marry
The devils would come out at night
Criticizing and admiring their carved chests
The dye in their hair was greasy
The women removed all their rich clothes
Then arranging their hair in various knots
And fringes—
by Micah Zevin 2009