she approaches me
straps an collar around my neck
she is dragging me
to
meet
her men

is this her
slumber party
drink sweet tea
swwet-heart
don't you
look
in
two
mommy's disbelief

what terror from night has struck me
that fear
of
night


has
awoken

three steps back
towards the words
my
children

they mock
me
with
acorn


cigarettes stain their conscience
lipstick has parted thier lips
moisture has seep'd in
the triangle
is
dripping


she uses my sleeves
to
wipe
her tears

her stains are in me


can we be washed clean
mother axed me
at
the car wash


how can you still breathe
under all them bubbles
there was bath-tub
bubbles
from
my
screams


mother please
what have you done
here
i
am
mother


i
am
just
an
child
?













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