NORMA'S LAMENT Oh, Lord, it seems like I've been waiting since the day I was born for my life to begin. Not that I've got anything to complain about. My husband's a good man and a good provider for me and the kids what with the pig farm and the ranch. He must be just about the richest man in the county. There's nothing I'm wanting for. But, God, oh, God! I can't stand it here on the pig farm anymore. Every night when my husband comes home he's just so damn tired out from those pigs... All day, every day, Every day of the week and weeks on end. He comes home at night and he says,, "Sure, honey... Sure, Norma..." just like that. He's so worn out that if he touches me at all, it's just something to relax, before he rolls over sound asleep. Me, I lay there in the dark looking through those big bedroom windows at the black night sky, knowing there's miles and miles of prairie going on, between me and whatever there is of the world out there. James DeFord |