Tuesday, October 14, 2014

The Anneslee Poems: Break

Jack Daniels permeates the air
as you stumble into the couch,
a chair,
the counter –
anything in your way.

You throw punches,
then words,
then look to see
the damage done.

Bone to bone,
I feel my face break
down to my toes
as the flesh of your flesh
splits and tears in two
like my heart.

You bury your fists
in me –
another version of you –
until the fuel burns out.

Two bodies on the floor,
but only one
will crawl out of here.

Friday, October 10, 2014

The Anneslee Poems: Mother

They cut the cord
when they pulled
me out,
but wrapped me
in chains
and handed me
to you,
a little doll
for you
to dress up
and keep
forever.

The chains
tightened
with every breath
as you held me
fiercely
against your chest
and told
the world
I was everything
you’d ever wanted.

I grew
around the chains
and became distorted,
nothing like
the daughter
you wanted
when you
dreamed up
my name
and bought
pink party dresses
that don't fit
me now.

When did you know
I was
never
going to be
good enough
for your love?

Was it my first breath?
Was it my first cry?
Was it my first word?
Or was it the moment
the plus sign
said I was real?

Some women
should never
have children.