They Yell At Me Because

We Swore Sacred Oaths To Be Strong And To Save The Planet And To Be Friends Forever.

You’re Not Dead, But You’re Not Alive, Either. You’re A Wintergirl.

I'm Learning How To Taste Everything.

I Shake My Head. I Pick Up The Rake And Start Making The Dead-leaf Pile Neater. A Blister Pops And Stains The Rake Handle Like A Tear. Dad Nods And Walks To The Jeep, Keys Jangling In His Fingers. A Mockingbird Lands On A Low Oak Branch And Scolds Me. I Rake The Leaves Out Of My Throat. Me: "can You Buy Some Seeds? Flower Seeds?

He Doesn't See My Breasts Or My Waist Or My Hips. He Only Sees The Nightmare.