Exit Strategy

A tattooed line of dashes

extends from the inside

of her left elbow

down to her wrist.

The fine print reads

Cut here,

alongside a pair of scissors

no bigger than the paws

of a mouse.

Her arm is pale and

free of blemishes,

much less criss-crossing

scars. She says to me,

"It's just common sense

to have a back-up plan."