Legacy

I tuck myself
inside
one of your brain’s
pockets
to collect lint
or for you
to pull it out
like a folded
photograph.

My Lesson

Mom washed my mouth out
with Lava soap Dad used
to wash his hands after he worked
in the garage sanding cars,
spreading body filler putty,
spraying primer, testing
joints for oil leaks.

She washed the bar of soap
with my saliva as I spit
black and green in the sink
and thought,
“This tastes like shit!”
especially the second time
when I hadn’t learned
my lesson.

Silence Inside

His hands and fingers
caress and tickle
where they have
no right to be.

His mouth and tongue
explore her body
without permission.

She is silent
because you’re not
supposed to yell
in the library.

Learn more about Diane by clicking on her bio: https://thievingmagpie.org/diane-webster-bio/