“Life was so difficult that small triumphs began to look like success.” – Ann Beattie
Barker and Topaz sat the dining room table,
sharing a gourmet meal and chatting
about their formative childhoods.
And a snap shot of those next sixty years.
***
One night they turned off the TV
and talked.
Salad?
Yes, thank you.
I’ve been thinking.
Now I’m scared.
***
You can be anything you want to be.
Those words, like a cattle brand,
words been hearing all my life…
You can be anything you want to be.
Think that’s freedom,
no, what it is,
it’s a heavy burden
too much pressure.
Plus don’t feel it’s true.
So you end up being not much of anything.
***
More wine?
You paid too much for this.
So, spank me.
***
I do understand.
Try hearing from the age of four,
okay, maybe five.
You are only good for one thing.
You are only good for one thing,
you split-tail.
Try hearing that.
At four or five.
***
You’re good for more than that
although, you know,
you are real good at that.
Thank you, Mr. Sweetie.
And I could cook and sew, too.
National Honor Society.
***
Everything’s fine,
books in the house.
church four times a week.
summer camp.
You can be whatever you want to be.
Dad comes home every night
and Mom cooks dinner every night,
then you wake up one morning
and you feel like
a gangling creature from outer space.
***
Pass those ribs, please.
***
Try waking up with big boobs and a pussy,
you’re twelve,
can’t go outdoors.
indoors, not so safe either.
See how much fun that is.