‘ballad of a mother and a daughter’
think of the relationship between lady bird and her mother (lady bird, 2017).
do you know me?
i am sleepy now, and can’t think straight
you say, “let’s talk”
sleep conquers my lids, they trudge shut
you say, “no, no, let’s talk”
you need me when i can’t be there,
you remember i exist when i’m far away
“mother, mother,” i say
“i need to sleep. let me bed.”
this affronts you and you walk away
so, i slip out of my sleep like i do out of dirty clothes,
and run after you
the room you’re in is crowded
things: old memories, dreams, loves, lives
have grabbed their corner, “shotgun,” they’ve cried
you’re in the middle of the room in a puddle of brine
the things are tethered to you with iron strings
you move, they move
you cry, they cry
you heave, they heave
you grieve, they grieve
“mother, mother,” i say now that i’ve found you
“let’s talk,” i continue
you won’t look at me, your face is glue to the floor
little ants that have taken the shape of your life
piece by piece, devour sips of your brine