Says–not said–because that improper grammar is embedded in half my DNA– that the disrespect I have for her was given to me by my father. She denies this half of me. But here, this woman, my mother, says these words to me on mother’s day. The day of thanks we give to her for life [...]
Hold your breath. I failed a swimming test trying to touch the bottom of the deep end. The swim instructor focused my breathing and rubbed my back. “Ssssshhhhhh—it’s okay. You can breathe now. You can breathe now. Take a deeeeeeeep breath.” This is where you breathe. 5 years ago, my father died– a tidal wave [...]
I didn’t touch myself for 4 weeks because my hands waited for yours… They never arrived with softness or attention– only crude power behind closed doors. So I shoved my hands into my pockets, hoping the denim would warm them when yours weren’t there. They rarely ever were. I wore the fancy underthings in hopes [...]
