Have a Baby

There was a time when I would cry
at her head bowing down, unspeaking
“apologize!”
no apology
Let the tears rise to sobs
I am 13 years old, indignant
Disgusted by the “teen” in my age
Do Not call me a “teenager”
because I Am a Child
mary ann, you’re old enough
to have a baby
you can have a baby
have
a
baby
but I will watch Peter Pan
stinging eyes
and dream, mother let’s go
to the beach
this day
I have pretty plastic playthings
and we can pretend we never
screamed, clawed, and called the
police
officer, this child has got me
this child and her spell books
her cries in the night, the vicious
incision of “hold me now, before I die”
I will not tell you to get in the car
only follow you silently fuming
until it is dark, and she is on the curb
shadows strangling her
arms chest calves mouth
hello Officer Green
get in the car,
you fucking bitch
goodbye
Officer Green