For Marys everywhere. #amazonlink for The Eternal Ones of the Dream: Selected Poems 1990-2010 https://amzn.to/3xYR2sU. 


from "Negative Employee Situation" / by James Tate


The Huntingtons had a live-in maid
by the name of Mary. Mary was very religious
and prayed a good deal of the time. In fact,
as the years went by Mary pretty much ceased
working altogether and prayed all of the time. 
Mrs. Huntington cooked for her and cleaned her 
room as well as the rest of the house. Mr.
Huntington would never rebuke Mary because
he believed her prayers benefited the whole
household....




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