Bitch      Now, when he and I meet, after all these years,           I say to the bitch inside me, don't start growling.      He isn't a trespasser anymore,      Just an old acquaintance tipping his hat.      5     My voice says, "Nice to see you," As the bitch starts to bark hysterically. He isn't an enemy now, Where are your manners, I say, as I say, "How are the children? They must be growing up."    10     At a kind word from him, a look like the old days, The bitch changes her tone: she begins to whimper. She wants to snuggle up to him, to cringe. Down, girl! Keep your distance Or I'll give you a taste of the choke-chain.    15     "Fine, I'm just fine," I tell him. She slobbers and grovels. After all, I am her mistress. She is basically loyal. It's just that she remembers how she came running Each evening, when she heard his step;    20     How she lay at his feet and looked up adoringly Though he was absorbed in his paper; Or, bored with her devotion, ordered her to the kitchen Until he was ready to play. But the small careless kindnesses    25     When he'd had a good day, or a couple of drinks, Come back to her now, seem more important Than the casual cruelties, the ultimate dismissal. "It's nice to know you are doing so well," I say. He couldn't have taken you with him;    30     You were too demonstrative, too clumsy, Not like the well-groomed pets of his new friends. "Give my regards to your wife," I say. You gag As I drag you off by the scruff, Saying, "Goodbye! Goodbye! Nice to have seen you again." 1984 Ulrika Josefsson