Becoming the Laurel
Why I run—
Because he doesn’t love me.
Because he has bad breath
I don’t want him to touch me.
Father doesn’t understand my resistance.
The rent’s overdue. The cat’s belly rings.
Your body can stop death
Open your legs. Give him a kiss.
Father restrains me, my arms raised over my head.
My roots a silent V.
Services rendered;
I’m forever his.
The Sun shears my hair, wraps it
around his head. For centuries
my body will remain as this,
the paper men write upon.