Screen Memory

Cathy Moriarty,

18 playing 15

in Scorsese’s Raging Bull –

nothing can touch her

interior world

as the boxer’s teen bride:

even upbraided, even hit,

if she’s thinking of the weather

or whatever –

Cathy as Vickie,

in front of the camera – we’re not

about to know.

She makes me remember

my stepmother (or

the only one I ever called so),

who was 13

years older than me –

could’ve been a sister.

18, my father’s

Bardot. What were you thinking

when you left,

I’d like to ask her

but I can’t,

and that I can’t

means she exited

the picture, distinct in

her self.

Cathy Moriarty,

how did you feel

when you had to

kiss De Niro

down his chest? And how

do I forget?

Do we ever

outstep

being cast so.

I’d like to know.