Suds


The large, enameled sink
eats her red knuckles.
Mum bent to
her silent threadbare work.

I have new long pants,
I worship their long-ness,
how they stretch my young body
into an imaginary manhood.

Mum threatens to wash them soon,
I back away as her laboring ribs
speak.

My lips
make the shocked shape of 'why'!

Her hands keep thrashing suds.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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