It didn’t hurt.
It was like when I was in second grade
and I took that turn too sharply.
The gravel was loose and
my bike slid sideways
like it was pulled by invisible ropes
through those pointed rocks.
I followed
A couple of band-aids
over raw knees,
raw palms.
You stitched me up like a surgeon.
“Everything heals darling,”
You caught a runaway tear
with your thumb.
Please don’t hate them.
I hope you’re listening, Mom.
It’s like when the man
rang our doorbell and told us
we had three days to leave.
You thanked him anyway
before you closed the door.
Months later
the bullets punctured our new house
like scissors through paper.
You nearly crushed my ribs
the way you held me
under our kitchen table,
guarding me like a soldier
before the gunshot noises finally ceased
and left ringing in our ears.
After we cleaned up the shards
and dust from the casualties:
Your favorite vase,
The living room window,
You kissed me on the forehead
And pulled my covers to my chin.
“Honey, if I ever leave you,
know I’m never far from here.”
Please don’t be angry, Mom,
at those boys who took me from you.
Be thankful that it wasn’t those bullets
instead, when I was so young.
Be thankful I got to blow out
those sixteen candles on my cake.
Everything heals, Mother Darling,
I’m never far from here.
Gender:
Points: 300
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