Writing

My strap slips off my my shoulder
My pigtails are grazing my back
Anchors to some, accessories to others
The more layered
The more weighted
The more silent
I can be, the better
How do you tell someone they're a user
And use them to your will
Use them up until all that's left is
her stuffed rabbit
Hands gripping to its ears like the
Edge
Of a ledge
Is the act of living a weakness or strength
Was she all used up?
Fleshy pink cat scratch scars
My scarlet letter thigh
With help carved deep
Fingers tracing mountain peaks
Have you ever seen daddy cry?
Twenty four window panes
Make up something whole
Drop the rabbit,
SCREAM your name!
You have no control

A fathers joy
My mothers reflection
Two hundred strawberry seeds
All stuck in my teeth
You have his judgment
Her endless concern
When will you ever learn
When I talk to G-d I wait for a response
Every
single
Time
When will I ever learn
The window doesn't open
My door does not slam
There is no falling cup
Why wait for a sign
You'll die waiting
Kiss me
Use me
Let me go
You will see how important I am
Do you see it?
Does he?
I need a toothpick

All together now,

Elongate the torso,
Belly button to your back.
People who stand,
They stand tall.
Hold space between breaths,
Though I tend to unravel.
Your eyes do not ask why,
They do not turn away.
My back is starting to ache—
Yours must too
The weight presses heavy,
But you don’t bend,
there is rarely a falter
In the pause between each exhale.
You hold the air for me
Never ask
To be noticed,
To be thanked.
I lean in,
And you stand taller,
As if my sloping
Somehow keeps us whole.
The people stand
They stand tall
Through my hell
Without flinching
When will we stand together?
Breathe in
And out
And out
We will be there soon.