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TheDeathofMarilynMonroe Theambulancementouchedhercoldbody, liftedit, heavyasiron,ontothe stretcher, triedtoclosethemouth, closedtheeyes, tiedthearmstothesides, movedacaughtstrandofhair, asifitmattered, sawtheshapeofherbreasts, flattenedbygravity, underthesheetcarriedher, asifitwereshe,downthe steps. Thesemenwereneverthesame. Theywentoutafterwards, asthey alwaysdid, foradrinkortwo, buttheycouldnotmeeteachother'seyes. Their livestookaturn--onehadnightmares, strangepains, impotence, depression. Ondidnotlikehiswork, hiswifelookeddifferent, hiskids. Even deathseemeddifferenttohim--aplacewhereshewouldbewaiting, andone foundhimselfstandingatnightinthedoorwaytoaroomofsleep, listeningto awomanbreathing, justanordinarywomanbreathing.
SharonOlds
