The Painted Russian

by R.L. Wisdom

I went to a hooker
who charged me nothing.
Presumably I knew her.
This was on a ship
of the Americans’ persuasion,
which once blew up a
Russian ship for no reason.
I remember you being upset
about me sleeping
with the hooker (who
looked like Jessie
from Saved by the Bell)—
but not for the obvious reasons.
That is why I
suspect the painted lady
was an acquaintance.